Scout Motors has announced plans to establish its first manufacturing plant near Columbia, South Carolina – where it will build new electric trucks and SUVs. Representing a $2 billion investment, Scout expects its new plant to produce more than 200,000 vehicles annually.
The South Carolina location was chosen based on its commitments towards EV innovation, with its local government prioritizing the development of EV infrastructure and organizing EV planning under a centralized state working group. The site spans around 1,600 acres, with the plant itself occupying 1,100. Its proximity to cities such as Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta will give the Volkswagen brand access to major highways, ports of Charleston and Savannah, and nearby universities focused on automotive engineering. Construction on the Columbia plant is planned to commence in the middle of 2023, while production is projected to begin before the end of 2026.
At the plant, Scout’s new trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform that delivers enhanced capabilities and off-road strengths. With internal engineering focused on a variety of attributes – including ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range, and new digital features – Scout is ultimately aiming to usher in a new era of all-purpose vehicles.
