The Volkswagen Group’s new Scout electrical car model has confirmed it would construct its upcoming pickup vehicles and SUVs at a plant close to Columbia, South Carolina from late 2026.
This follows experiences from final yr saying the corporate was in talks with Foxconn, in addition to Magna-Steyr about contract manufacturing.
Scout Motors has secured a web site measuring roughly 1600 acres (6.47 sq. kilometres), with the plant itself set to occupy 1100 acres (4.45 sq. kilometres). It’s positioned round 30km from Columbia, South Carolina.
The corporate is investing US$2 billion (A$2.96 billion) in getting this manufacturing facility arrange, with groundbreaking deliberate for mid-2023.
At full capability, Scout tasks the South Carolina manufacturing facility can be in a position manufacture greater than 200,000 autos yearly. It additionally has the potential to create greater than 4000 everlasting jobs.
“Scout Motors will present 1000’s of South Carolinians with beforehand un-imagined alternatives and prosperity for generations to come back,” stated South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
“The Palmetto State, with its wealthy historical past, superior folks, and sterling automotive manufacturing fame, is the proper place to re-start this iconic American model.”
The Volkswagen Group’s determination to fabricate Scout autos within the US seems associated to President Joe Biden’s not too long ago signed tax, local weather, and healthcare legislation stipulating EVs and a part of their battery elements should be constructed within the nation to qualify for subsidies.
Electrical vans, SUVs and pickup vehicles valued as much as US$80,000 (A$118,533) and different EVs valued as much as US$55,000 (A$81,491) which can be manufactured within the US now qualify for federal tax credit of as much as US$7500 (A$11,112).
As a part of this announcement Scout Motors additionally revealed a shadowy teaser picture of the 2 upcoming electrical autos (EVs) with the caption, “the world wants Scouts”.
The Scout electrical pickup and SUV can be constructed on a “newly-designed all-electric platform” that’s claimed to supply credible off-road prowess.
Inner engineering is claimed to be centered on attributes together with floor clearance, strategy angles, sturdy axles, payload capability, electrical vary, and “new digital options”.
Though right-hand drive manufacturing hasn’t been confirmed, Volkswagen Australia has put up its hand for the rugged electrical ute and SUV vary.
“Scout’s American-focused, it’s left-hand drive at this level solely. In the event that they decide that they need to construct a right-hand drive variant, I assure that I’ll be on a aircraft straight over there to spruik the case for Australia,” Ryan Davies, director of Volkswagen Business Autos in Australia, informed CarExpert in December 2022.
“That’s a fairly thrilling product. I believe there’s loads of scope [for Scout].
“I’ve no different perception or info on [Scout models] however from what we are able to see, they’d have good utility right here in Australia and will they resolve to go to right-hand drive, I believe Volkswagen Group Australia could be extremely .”
Volkswagen got here into possession of the Scout title in 2021 when its Traton truck division purchased Navistar, the mother or father firm of Worldwide Harvester, the corporate which constructed the Jeep-style Scout utes and SUVs from 1961 to 1980.
Produced within the US state of Indiana, it was out there with a variety of hard- and soft-top physique kinds, and featured a pickup possibility.
MORE: Volkswagen Scout EV ute could possibly be constructed by iPhone manufacturerMORE: Volkswagen Australia desires Scout EVs, however RHD plans but to be announcedMORE: 2026 Scout: Volkswagen teases electrical off-roader
