COLUMBIA, S.C. — At an event on Thursday, Oct. 24, in Nashville, Tennessee, Scout Motors unveiled designs of the vehicles to be manufactured at their currently under-construction facility in Blythewood. Scout's Terra truck and Traveler SUV were designed and engineered in Michigan and are set to go into production in South Carolina in 2027.
“Two years in the making, the day has finally come to share the next generation of Scout vehicles with the world,” said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors. “The original core idea — rugged, versatile vehicles capable of off-road adventure and family duty — is more relevant than ever. We couldn’t be prouder to revitalize this iconic American brand, create thousands of American jobs, and put American ingenuity back to work.”
Initially announced in March 2023, Scout officially broke ground on a 1600-acre site near I-77 in Blythewood in February 2024. The company had to pause construction around September 2023 due to permitting issues and concerns over wetlands damage.
Once completed, the plant represents a $2 billion investment and is expected to generate 4,000 jobs. The state Legislature passed a $1.3 billion incentive package to help Scout locate in South Carolina, including a provision that Scout hire local workers as much as possible.
The Volkswagen-backed Scout's new designs pay homage to the original Scout vehicles produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980.
Not only are the truck and SUV models visually a throwback with curved lines and broad stances, but the vehicles are designed for work and play. Notably:
- The Terra truck's projected towing capacity is 10,000 pounds, and the Traveler's is over 7,000 pounds; both will have a nearly 2,000-pound payload capacity.
- Fully electric models will have an estimated range of 350 miles. Range-extended variants with a built-in gas-powered generator are projected to offer a more than 500-mile range.
- Both models will include a four-wheel-drive system with an electric drive unit on each axle.
- Fully electric Scout vehicles are targeted to climb 100 percent grades and accelerate 0-60 mph in as quick as 3.5 seconds, made possible by an estimated nearly 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque
- The Scout Terra will feature a 5.5-foot pickup bed with two 120V power outlets and one 240V power outlet—enough to power heavy-duty tools at a job site or to keep home appliances running during an outage.
- When opened, the Scout Traveler split tailgate offers easy access to cargo and protection from the elements, shielding both passengers and cargo from the weather.
- In a nod to Volkswagen, both vehicles will include a front trunk capable of fitting golf clubs, a gym bag, and a small cooler. They will also power multiple devices with 120V and USB-C power outlets.
- Roof design options range from the traditional hard top to the "Cabana" glass roof option, touted to be "one of the largest roof openings of any SUV," that will "connect drivers and passengers with an open-air experience on demand."
Regarding pricing, the Traveler entry model will start at as low as $50,000 with available incentives, with retail prices starting at under $60,000. The Terra entry model will start at as low as $51,500 with available incentives, with retail prices starting at under $60,000. Scout vehicle owners can personalize their vehicles with add-ons such as auxiliary lighting, assist steps, power off-boarding solutions, off-road bumpers with recovery points, a heavy-duty winch, and more.
Once operational, Scout in Blythewood is expected to produce 200,000 vehicles yearly at peak capacity. The hiring process has already begun. Those interested can check out the Scout career page for open positions.
Scout is now accepting reservations for vehicles. To purchase a Scout, visit scoutmotors.com and pay a (fully refundable) $100 reservation fee to reserve a spot in line.
