Volkswagen's Scout to Open Research and Development Hub in Michigan
Volkswagen announced a revival of the iconic Scout brand a while ago, but we’re now starting to see movement on the subject. The automaker recently announced a new Innovation Center in Michigan, where it will house design, engineering, and research efforts for its upcoming EV lineup.
Neither Scout nor Volkswagen have shared many details on the vehicles, other than a few teasers, but we know the pair will lean on Magna Steyr for development and manufacturing. Magna already handles Fisker Ocean production, making it a somewhat natural choice as a partner for Scout.
The facility will be located in Novi, around 30 miles from Detroit. Scout said the project will bring up to 200 jobs to the area to support the 300 already hired for the project. The location will also work with Scout’s production facility in South Carolina, which is currently under construction.
Scout looked to Michigan for its newest facility because of the incentives the state offers under its business development programs. That, and the fact that the Detroit area remains the spiritual epicenter of the American automotive industry and houses a high concentration of engineers and industry professionals ready to work.
Though we’re talking about Scout as a brand, the name actually came from a model produced by the International Harvester company decades ago. Today’s Scout brand will build an electric pickup truck and SUV, and prototypes are expected by the end of 2024.
[Image: Scout/VW]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Where? Magna has no assembly locations in North America. Don't forget the 25% tariff "Chicken Tax".
I am looking forward to seeing the new Scout.
"the Detroit area remains the spiritual epicenter of the American automotive industry and houses a high concentration of engineers and industry professionals ready to work"
...as well as Ford Blue™ powertrain engineers, just sayin' 😉
"the Detroit area remains the spiritual epicenter of the American automotive industry and houses a high concentration of engineers and industry professionals ready to work"
Since only about 40% of US car sales are Big 3, I'm not so sure that's true anymore. There is auto tech talent all over the country - CA, TX, AL, SC, GA, AZ, and TN (VW's neighborhood).