--- title: "Scout CEO Dismisses Dealers As ‘A Lot Of Noise:’ TDS" date: "2025-09-12" modified: "2025-09-12" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/scout-ceo-dismisses-dealers-as-a-lot-of-noise-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Scout CEO Dismisses Dealers As ‘A Lot Of Noise:’ TDS ![Scout Hero]() *\Scout Motors\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. *TDS* is light, tight, and right. Short on fluff and big on news gathering all the latest automotive headlines bubbling around the globe in one place. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. I'm in a hotel in the UK where they don't believe in having coffee machines in the rooms, apparently, so let's get into it so coffee can be sought out. 🚘 What I’m driving: Nothing until next week. 🧾 [Scout CEO Scott Keogh said]() shopping for a car at a dealership is akin to shopping at Best Buy whereas a direct sales model "is the right strategy" and more like buying directly from Apple, noting the latter is a better "brand experience" and if you don't own that then what do you even have ⚡️ Mercedes will [drop the "with EQ Technology" branding]() for its EVs and move into an era of just calling models electric, such as the upcoming GLC Electric rather than the GLC with EQ Technology. 🟡 A new [Series.Yellow lineup]() including a BRZ and WRX mark the seventh iteration of Subaru's special-color series. 🔌 Mercedes-Benz announced the AMG-branded [2026 E53 plug-in hybrid wagon will cost]() $94,500 when it arrives this fall in the U.S. market. 🪫 Tesla is now [offering its Superchargers to business](), unbranded, as a new way to drum up cash and expand charging infrastructure. ⚠️ The 2025-2025 Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S EVs have been [recalled due to a rollaway risk]() while being parked. 💰 The 2026 Land Cruiser rolls into a new model year with the base 1958 model costing $750 more than last year at $58,650, but the top-spec Land Cruiser Land Cruiser model gets a price cut of $405 with a sticker price of $63,900. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()