BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. – Two innovative electric vehicles are set to reshape South Carolina’s economic landscape. Scout Motors revealed the Terra and the Traveler, both boasting a projected range of 350 miles, during an event on Thursday.
These vehicles will be manufactured at a new production facility in Blythewood, which is part of one of the state’s largest economic developments. The facility is expected to start producing vehicles by the end of 2026.
Governor Henry McMaster announced that Scout Motors received a $1.3 billion incentive package. The $2 billion facility will cover 1,100 acres and create 4,000 jobs for the local community.
“It’s an exciting day for South Carolina. The excitement that is here today on this mountaintop is going to be hard to beat,” Governor McMaster remarked during the unveiling in Franklin, Tennessee, where he joined Scout enthusiasts and company executives.
Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors, mentioned that the plant will have the capacity to produce 40 vehicles per hour once operational.
The Terra model is equipped with a 5.5-foot bed, a large central display, front storage, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Both vehicles draw inspiration from the original Scout launched in the 1960s.
The Traveler, the latest SUV from Scout, will share a similar design to the classic Scout models, featuring a glass roof and a split tailgate while maintaining many interior elements from the Terra.
Chief Design Officer Chris Benjamin expressed confidence that the new models will resonate with hardworking South Carolinians. He emphasized the pride that local workers will feel in assembling the vehicles.
Joern Petri, Vice President of Plant Launch, highlighted that having an automotive company fosters significant economic development, benefitting local suppliers and the community at large.
Construction of the Blythewood facility is progressing well, with nearly 78 percent of the assembly building foundation already completed and 57 percent of the steel framework installed.
Scout Motors is actively engaging with local K12 schools and technical colleges to train and employ future workers in the facility. The vehicles will be priced between $50,000 and $60,000, and reservations are currently being accepted.