Scout Motors, Volkswagen Group‘s off-road brand, announced on March 3 that it will invest $2 billion in South Carolina to build its first production plant in Blythewood.
“We’re honored to partner with South Carolina to usher in this new era for Scout.
…Today, we’re reimagining Scout’s original ingenuity and electrifying its future. We’re bringing the Scout spirit to South Carolina, and it’s going to be a hell of a ride.”
Scout Motors President and CEO Scott Keogh
In hindsight, Volkswagen announced in May 2022 that it would relaunch the legendary Scout brand as an electric vehicle unit. At that time, the German automaker had already been looking for potential sites for its planned production facility in the United States.
Purpose
Scout Motors aims to produce next-generation electric trucks and rugged SUVs. It claims to use an all-new electric platform for the brand’s upcoming EVs.
Interestingly, the brand commits to “harkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980.” However, Scout Motors stated that internal engineering would prioritize the following features:
- all-electric range
- new digitalization
- ground clearance
- approach angles
- robust axles
- payload capacity
The EV brand expects to reach an annual production rate of over 200,000 units at the new plant at full capacity.
The project is expected to start construction by mid-2023. Meanwhile, the company expects to begin production by the end of 2026.
About the site
The planned production plant alone takes up about 1,100 acres of the Blythewood Industrial Site’s total of 1,600 acres.
Remarkably, it is strategically situated fewer than 20 miles north of Columbia, with I-77 and Blythewood Road as its borders. Furthermore, the brand noted that the site is close to talent hotspots, including Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta.
Why South Carolina?
South Carolina leads the nation in exporting finished passenger automobiles and tires, per the press release. Furthermore, Scout Motors further noted that the state has more than 500 auto-related businesses and 75,000 people employed in the sector.
All that said, the state is undoubtedly among the leaders in the auto industry worldwide.
“Scout Motors will provide thousands of South Carolinians with previously un-imagined opportunities and prosperity for generations to come. The Palmetto State, with its rich history, superior people, and sterling automotive manufacturing reputation, is the perfect place to re-start this iconic American brand.”
Governor Henry McMaster
The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 permanent job opportunities in Richland County. Construction is scheduled to start in the middle of 2023, while production is set by the end of 2026.
Visit the recruitment page of readySC to learn more about the job vacancies.
