12-12-2023, 01:36 PM
VW's Scout Motors plans EV R&D center, 200 new jobs in suburban Detroit
<p>Electric truck manufacturer <strong><a href="https://www.autonews.com/topic/scout-news" target="_blank">Scout Motors Inc.</a></strong> is looking to invest $11 million and create 200 jobs with a new R&D center in suburban Detroit.</p>
<p>The <strong><a href="http://autonews.com/topic/vw-news" target="_blank">Volkswagen</a></strong>-backed company aims to set up the innovation center in tandem with its South Carolina factory launch expected by the end of 2026. The project in Novi, Mich., would create a hub for Scout’s product design and engineering, according to a briefing memo from the <strong><a href="http://autonews.com/topic/michigan" target="_blank">Michigan</a></strong> Economic Development Corp.</p><p>The new jobs are expected to pay an average of $3,714 per week plus benefits. The plan is being supported with a $10 million performance-based grant, approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.</p>
<p>The grant helps to “address the up-front cost disadvantage of locating the project in Michigan when compared to the competing sites outside of Michigan,” the memo said.</p>
<p>Built on the revitalization of an iconic American brand, Tysons, Va.-based Scout intends to roll out its first SUV and truck test vehicles in the coming months. Its plant in South Carolina, where it plans to invest $2 billion, is expected to produce 200,000 EVs annually.</p>
<p>The company is moving forward with ambitious ramp-up plans as the EV industry faces growing pains. Lower-than-expected demand for battery electric vehicles has prompted dramatic pullback from automakers such as Ford Motor Co., which is <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/automotive/ford-cutting-f-150-lightning-ev-production-half-memo-says" target="_blank">cutting production of its F-150 Lightning</a> in half next year, and General Motors, which is <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/gm-pushes-back-start-ev-production-orion-assembly-late-2025" target="_blank">delaying EV pickup production at Orion Assembly</a>.</p>
<p>Scout has about 300 employees and <a href="https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/scout-motors-ceo-ev-brand-set-debut-vehicles-q3" target="_blank">plans to break ground on its assembly plant in the first quarter</a>, CEO Scott Keogh told <em>Automotive News</em> last week. The company employs 44 people in Michigan, the MEDC briefing memo said.</p>
<p>“The company is optimistic that the launch of Scout electric vehicles and vision for the brand will result in ongoing growth,” it said.</p>
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/v...-novi-mich
<p>Electric truck manufacturer <strong><a href="https://www.autonews.com/topic/scout-news" target="_blank">Scout Motors Inc.</a></strong> is looking to invest $11 million and create 200 jobs with a new R&D center in suburban Detroit.</p>
<p>The <strong><a href="http://autonews.com/topic/vw-news" target="_blank">Volkswagen</a></strong>-backed company aims to set up the innovation center in tandem with its South Carolina factory launch expected by the end of 2026. The project in Novi, Mich., would create a hub for Scout’s product design and engineering, according to a briefing memo from the <strong><a href="http://autonews.com/topic/michigan" target="_blank">Michigan</a></strong> Economic Development Corp.</p><p>The new jobs are expected to pay an average of $3,714 per week plus benefits. The plan is being supported with a $10 million performance-based grant, approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.</p>
<p>The grant helps to “address the up-front cost disadvantage of locating the project in Michigan when compared to the competing sites outside of Michigan,” the memo said.</p>
<p>Built on the revitalization of an iconic American brand, Tysons, Va.-based Scout intends to roll out its first SUV and truck test vehicles in the coming months. Its plant in South Carolina, where it plans to invest $2 billion, is expected to produce 200,000 EVs annually.</p>
<p>The company is moving forward with ambitious ramp-up plans as the EV industry faces growing pains. Lower-than-expected demand for battery electric vehicles has prompted dramatic pullback from automakers such as Ford Motor Co., which is <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/automotive/ford-cutting-f-150-lightning-ev-production-half-memo-says" target="_blank">cutting production of its F-150 Lightning</a> in half next year, and General Motors, which is <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/manufacturing/gm-pushes-back-start-ev-production-orion-assembly-late-2025" target="_blank">delaying EV pickup production at Orion Assembly</a>.</p>
<p>Scout has about 300 employees and <a href="https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/scout-motors-ceo-ev-brand-set-debut-vehicles-q3" target="_blank">plans to break ground on its assembly plant in the first quarter</a>, CEO Scott Keogh told <em>Automotive News</em> last week. The company employs 44 people in Michigan, the MEDC briefing memo said.</p>
<p>“The company is optimistic that the launch of Scout electric vehicles and vision for the brand will result in ongoing growth,” it said.</p>
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/v...-novi-mich