When you can buy a Scout EV and 6 other interesting things to know about the $2B SC, VW deal

Patrick McCreless
Courtesy of The Wilbert Group

Manufacturing all-electric SUVs under the iconic Scout branding in South Carolina and creating 4,000 jobs to do it is all well and good. But, when will consumers get to buy one of these new vehicles?

Turns out that the wait might not be that far off — at least in regards to ordering one.

Actually getting behind the wheel of one is a different matter.

Scout Motors, a new company backed by Volkswagen Group, announced the $2 billion project for Richland County on Friday. The South Carolina site will be the first manufacturing plant for the Scout company.

Scout incorporated in Delaware in May of last year, soon after Volkswagen announced it would start a new company under the Scout brand, according to a press release. Scout is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.

The Scout was first produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980 and was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road driving and standard use for family travel. Scout Motors was created to make all-electric trucks and SUVs, “that made the original Scout an American icon,” the press release states.

When can customers get a new Scout?

  • The reveal of the first Scout concept vehicles is aimed at the first half of 2024.

  • Scout Motors expects to accept reservations around the time of the concept reveal.

  • Vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end of 2026.

  • The first retail sales of Scout trucks and SUVs are expected to begin soon after production begins.

6 other things we’ve learned about the SC, Scout deal

  • The manufacturing facility will be built in Blythewood, will cover 1,100 acres and will be less than 20 miles north of Columbia — positioned near I-77 to pull from other talent hubs like Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville and Atlanta.

  • Scout looked at 74 sites across the U.S. before settling on South Carolina.

  • The deal between South Carolina and Scout took just over two months, whereas similar automotive deals with states typically take between 12-18 months, said Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout Motors.

  • Scout wants to start in 2026 by making two vehicles. The first is a rugged, all-American SUV and the second is a pickup truck.

  • Major hiring for the plant will likely start in 2025.

  • The state is planning a $1.291 billion incentive package, that covers infrastructure, roads and utilities. Also, the Blythewood Fire Station is set to get a significant upgrade through Richland County incentives.

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