Scout Motors

Scout Motors Inc.

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Automotive
Founded	2022
Founder	Volkswagen Group
Headquarters	Charlotte, North Carolina , United States
Area served	United States, Canada
Key people	Scott Keogh (CEO)
Products	Electric vehicles (Scout Traveler SUV, Scout Terra pickup)
Owner	Volkswagen Group
Number of employees	4000+ (2023 (planned for production plant))

Scout Motors Inc. is a United States-based subsidiary owned by the German automotive giant Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen AG acquired the Scout brand through its 2021 acquisition of American truck manufacturer International Motors (formerly known as Navistar) and subsequently revived the brand in 2022.

Focusing on the development and production of off-road electric vehicles, Scout Motors functions autonomously from Volkswagen AG, with its own leadership team and board of directors. On November 12, 2025, the company announced that its global headquarters would be established in Charlotte, North Carolina, complemented by additional operations in South Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, and California.

History

The Scout name was originally launched in 1959 by International Harvester, manufacturing off-road vehicles from 1961 until 1980. In September 2021, news emerged that Volkswagen planned to bring back Scout as a direct competitor to models like the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Ford Bronco.

Volkswagen gave the green light in May 2022 to create Scout Motors as an independent U.S.-based entity dedicated to electric vehicles. Scott Keogh, who previously served as CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, was named the inaugural CEO of Scout.

On October 24, 2024, Scout Motors revealed two electric vehicle prototypes—the Scout® Traveler SUV and Scout® Terra pickup—during a national event held near Nashville, Tennessee. This launch underscored the brand’s legacy and future direction focused on adventure and community engagement. The event also introduced the “Harvester” concept featuring a small gasoline engine designed to extend range by generating electricity.

In November 2024, Scout announced plans to implement a new zonal architecture developed through the Volkswagen-Rivian partnership to improve its vehicle platform and enhance the user interface system.

Scout made its prominent trade show debut at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where it showcased cutting-edge in-car satellite connectivity technologies.

Dealership disputes

Scout Motors intends to sell its vehicles directly to customers and provide service independently, adopting a direct sales approach similar to that employed by Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar rather than using traditional franchised dealerships. On February 3, 2025, the National Automobile Dealers Association filed lawsuits against Volkswagen Group and Scout Motors, claiming that Scout’s direct-to-consumer sales violate laws preventing manufacturers from competing against franchised dealers. Additionally, Volkswagen and Audi dealerships in California and Florida initiated legal actions asserting that Scout’s sales strategy breaches state franchise regulations.

Production Center

On March 3, 2023, Scout Motors announced plans for a $2 billion manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, designed to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually. The facility is projected to employ more than 4,000 workers and will manufacture Scout’s initial two models: the Scout Traveler™ SUV and Scout Terra pickup truck, both expected to launch in late 2027.

In May 2025, Richland County was penalized $3 million for violating state environmental regulations during construction due to excessive sediment runoff affecting wetlands; this penalty may be reduced to $1 million if remediation targets are achieved within set deadlines.

While construction progresses at the site, Scout’s Production, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain departments operate out of a temporary office located in Columbia’s BullStreet District in South Carolina.

Innovation Center

In December 2023, Scout Motors revealed plans to launch its inaugural research and development hub in Novi, Michigan during 2024. The Scout Motors Innovation Center is now up and running, accommodating teams from Product, Design, Engineering, as well as various cross-departmental support groups.

Offices

On November 12, 2025, Scout Motors, together with North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, declared that the company’s global headquarters will be established in the Plaza Midwood district of Charlotte, North Carolina. Scout also operates offices in Fremont, California, which focus on Growth, Software Engineering, and User Experience, along with a location in Tysons, Virginia dedicated to Legal, Human Resources, and Finance departments. Over time, many of these divisions are anticipated to transition to the Charlotte headquarters.

Models

On October 24, 2024, Scout Motors introduced two concept vehicles: the Terra, a pickup truck, and the Traveler, an SUV. Both models are planned for launch in late 2027 as part of the 2028 model year. Reservations can currently be made in both the United States and Canada.