Volkswagen's Scout Brand Plans to Build $2 Billion Plant for Electric Pick-up Trucks and Rugged SUVs
Volkswagen's Scout brand has announced plans to build a new $2 billion manufacturing plant near Columbia, South Carolina. The plant is expected to create up to 4,000 permanent jobs and produce over 200,000 Scout vehicles annually, including electric pick-up trucks and rugged SUVs. The new plant is part of the company's growth program for North America, and the first Scout vehicles are projected to roll off the production line by the end of 2026.
⚡ New e-car factory for the U.S. 🇺🇸 #Scout Motors plans to produce electric pick-up trucks & rugged SUVs from 2026 in South Carolina 🏭 🚙 $2B investment, 4,000 new jobs & more choices for our U.S. customers. 🎉 Big part of growth program for North America. @SCGOV @henrymcmaster pic.twitter.com/PnjRhWjPWs
— Volkswagen Group (@VWGroup) March 3, 2023
South Carolina is considered the ideal location for the new plant, as the state has a rich history in automotive manufacturing, over 500 automotive-related companies, and 75,000 automotive industry employees. Additionally, South Carolina is the number one state in the US for export sales of both completed passenger vehicles and tires.
The Scout brand was developed almost 65 years ago by International Harvester and was billed as a whole new idea in low-cost transportation, considered to be the forerunner of the SUV. Volkswagen revived the Scout brand last year as an EV and aims to reimagine Scout's original ingenuity and electrify its future.
Volkswagen is also searching for a location for a new battery factory in North America to support its electric vehicle production. The company expects the supply chain issues to gradually ease this year, allowing it to service its high order backlog and reach sales of up to $352 billion in 2023.
