RALEIGH, NC, Nov 17, 2025 – Scout Motors has chosen Charlotte, NC, for its U.S. headquarters. The company will invest $206 million in the site while creating 1,200 regional jobs. Scout Motors plans to add the positions over five years. The roles will pay an average of $172,000, nearly twice the Mecklenburg County average. The headquarters will be located within Commonwealth, a mixed-use development in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood.
“Scout Motors is revitalizing an iconic American brand, creating high-quality jobs, and building the next great automotive company right here in the Carolinas,” said North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein. “Our business-friendly climate, our top-tier research universities and community colleges, our leadership in the clean energy economy, our quality of life, and above all, our people make companies want to call North Carolina home.”
Scout Motors is reviving the Scout brand, known for its off-road vehicles built by International Harvester. Volkswagen bought the Scout trademark in 2021 and created Scout Motors the next year to restart production. The company plans to build electric and hybrid models at its Blythewood, SC plant, with production set to begin in 2027.
“Charlotte is the ideal home for Scout Motors – a place as dynamic as our people and brand, where heritage and pride meet progress and innovation,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “With a thriving talent pool, world-class universities, and a deserved reputation as a launchpad for bold ideas, Charlotte offers the momentum we need to scale quickly and sustainably. We’ll build a headquarters that reflects our culture, empowers our teams, and connects us to a region that’s fast becoming a national hub for mobility and manufacturing.”
“We’re pleased to welcome an innovative company like Scout Motors to North Carolina,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Our automotive sector is thriving and rapidly expanding, and Scout Motors will only accelerate our state’s reputation as an automotive hub.”
In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, Central Piedmont Community College, the University of North Carolina System, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina A&T State University, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Mecklenburg County, CharlotteWorks, and City of Charlotte.
Source: Scout Motors
About Scout Motors
The Scout was produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980 as a utility vehicle built for off-road use and everyday driving. The brand developed a following among owners who continue to use the vehicles for work, recreation and family travel. Scout Motors was founded in 2022 to develop a new generation of electric trucks and rugged SUVs inspired by the original Scout. The company is headquartered in Tysons, VA. Scout Motors plans to build vehicles such as the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup for customers interested in electric off-road capability. Initial production is planned at the Scout Motors Production Center near Columbia, SC in 2027. The company’s factory will support the return of Scout-branded vehicle manufacturing in the United States.
About Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina is a private nonprofit corporation that serves as the statewide economic development organization for North Carolina. Founded in 2014, it is headquartered in Raleigh, NC. The organization works to attract, retain and support businesses across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, life sciences, tourism and film. Its services include site selection guidance, export assistance, incentive support and resources for startups and existing firms. The partnership operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and works with public and private partners at the state, regional and local levels. An 18-member board of business and industry representatives governs the organization.