Scout Chooses South Carolina

Scout Motors  has made headlines by announcing its plans to establish its first manufacturing plant near Columbia, South Carolina. The facility will focus on the production of next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs, harkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles of yesteryear. The move is estimated to cost $2 billion and has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs, while producing over 200,000 Scout vehicles annually.

Governor Henry McMaster is thrilled about the opportunities and prosperity that Scout will provide for South Carolinians, stating that the state is the perfect location to re-start the iconic American brand. South Carolina is already a leader in the global automotive industry, with over 500 automotive-related companies and 75,000 industry employees. The state is also number one in the U.S. for export sales of both completed passenger vehicles and tires. In addition, the governor has prioritized building EV infrastructure, preparing the state workforce for advanced manufacturing jobs, and strategically organizing EV planning under a centralized state working group.

The new plant will span approximately 1,600 acres, with the actual plant occupying 1,100 acres. Its strategic location, near major cities and talent hubs such as Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta, gives Scout unrivaled access to major highways, ports of Charleston and Savannah, and universities focused on automotive engineering. Scout’s new trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform that delivers credible capability and off-road prowess. Groundbreaking is planned for mid-2023, with production projected to begin by the end of 2026. The move will enable Scout to inject fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles.