The all-electric vehicle brand Scout founded by Volkswagen in the USA has confirmed plans to lay the foundation of a new industrial complex in Columbia, capital city of North Carolina, in the summer this year. The factory is expected to start churning out its first electric utility vehicles – SUVs and pickups – in late 2026.
The nominal production capacity exceeds 200,000 vehicles per year. The staff is estimated at 4,000 or more workers. The site offers convenient logistics thanks to its proximity to the highways and ports in Charleston and Savannah, as well as the state’s overall friendliness to automotive businesses. South Carolina is currently home to over 500 various automotive companies and a large number of educational institutions producing new professionals for the industry.
Scout Motors will be a company governed by its own Board of Directors independently from Volkswagen, although there will be select Bentley and VW reps included. External investment may be sought later on.
As for the business direction, the company will focus on producing utilitarian EVs based on a brand-new architecture prioritizing ‘geometrical performance’ – that is, approach and departure angles, robust axles for off-road use, towing and carrying capacity, range and modern digital features. The styling will resemble that of the original Volkswagen Scout cars released in the 1960–80s.
