Scout Motors to Build EV Assembly Plant in South Carolina
BLYTHEWOOD, SC—Scout Motors Inc., a new subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, plans to build an assembly plant here, with production starting in 2026. The $2 billion facility, located approximately 20 miles north of Columbia on a 1,600-acre site located next to I-77, will have the ability to produce more than 200,000 electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles a year.
“We’re honored to partner with South Carolina to usher in this new era,” says Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “Scout has been an American icon since introducing an SUV in 1960. It's the vehicle that took your family on a camping trip, that gave access to the great outdoors and that showed up on the job site every morning.
“Today, we’re reimagining Scout’s original ingenuity and electrifying its future,” explains Keogh. “We’re bringing the Scout spirit to South Carolina and it's going to be a hell of a ride.”
According to Keogh, Scout Motors will operate as an independent U.S. company, backed by Volkswagen Group.
“[Our] rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform that delivers credible capability and off-road prowess,” claims Keogh. “With internal engineering focused on attributes including ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range and new digital features, Scout will honor its heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles.”
Scout vehicles were originally produced in Fort Wayne, IN, the 1960s and 1970s by International Harvester Co., which reorganized its truck division as Navistar International Corp. in 1986. Traton Group, the commercial truck unit of VW, acquired Navistar in 2021.
Looking for quick answers on assembly and manufacturing topics? Try Ask ASM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ASM
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
