Scout Motors Chooses: Charlotte has secured one of its biggest economic victories of the decade as Scout Motors — Volkswagen’s revived American off-road vehicle brand — officially selects the Queen City for its U.S. corporate headquarters. The automaker will invest approximately $206–$207 million over the next five years and create 1,200 high-paying jobs, marking a milestone moment for North Carolina’s rapidly growing automotive sector. The headquarters will anchor the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood, a transformation that reflects both the city’s economic rise and its appeal to global mobility innovators.
The decision follows a nationwide, multi-state evaluation involving sites in South Carolina, Virginia, and others. Ultimately, Charlotte prevailed due to its talent pipeline, business climate, universities, infrastructure, and quality of life — elements the company says are essential for its long-term expansion in the U.S. EV market.
Key Takeaways: Scout Motors’ $206M Charlotte Headquarters Announcement
- Scout Motors is investing $206–$207 million to establish its U.S. corporate headquarters in Charlotte’s Commonwealth development.
- 1,200 jobs will be created between 2026 and 2030, with average wages ranging from $153,978 to $172,878, nearly double Mecklenburg County’s current average.
- North Carolina approved a Job Development Investment Grant worth up to $46–$51 million, while city and county incentives add about $20 million.
- The HQ will support operations at Scout’s $2–$2.3 billion Blythewood, South Carolina EV plant, expected to produce 200,000 vehicles annually and create 4,000 jobs.
- Scout Motors received more than 130,000 pre-orders for its upcoming EV lineup, including electric pickups and SUVs priced at $60,000 or less.
- The company will occupy up to 300,000 sq. ft. across three buildings at Commonwealth, including a newly constructed 145,000-sq.-ft. tower with retail space.
- Production in Blythewood is scheduled to begin between late 2026 and 2027, supported by a new $300 million supplier park.
- The move strengthens North Carolina’s position as a national mobility and manufacturing hub, with the state’s automotive sector growing 23% since 2014.
Charlotte Secures One of Its Largest Job Announcements in a Decade
Local leaders called the deal transformational. Mecklenburg County Board Chair Mark Jerrell described the decision as a “major milestone,” reflecting the region’s emergence as a competitive automotive ecosystem. In the past year alone, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have collaborated on more than a dozen major relocations and expansions, bringing in 3,600+ jobs and $422 million in investments.
The Scout Motors win is particularly notable because it represents both corporate headquarters talent and advanced manufacturing growth, linking Charlotte and the broader Carolinas into a unified automotive corridor.
Why Scout Motors Chose Charlotte: Talent, Universities, Innovation
Scout Motors President and CEO Scott Keogh said the company needed a home capable of supporting rapid scaling, long-term R&D, and a strong workforce pipeline. Charlotte, he noted, delivered everything from engineering talent to livability.
“Charlotte offers the momentum we need to scale quickly and sustainably,” Keogh said. “With a thriving talent pool, world-class universities, and a reputation as a launchpad for bold ideas, it’s the ideal home for Scout Motors.”
North Carolina confers more than 1,300 automotive-related engineering degrees a year, and 20 of the world’s top 100 auto suppliers already operate in the state — including Toyota, which recently launched production at its $13.9 billion battery plant.
Inside the New Headquarters at Commonwealth
Scout Motors will occupy three buildings at the sprawling Commonwealth development, built by Crosland Southeast and Nuveen Real Estate. The headquarters includes:
| Headquarters Component | Details |
| Total Office Footprint | ~300,000 sq. ft. |
| Main Building | 145,000 sq. ft., seven stories |
| Retail Included | Warby Parker, Five Guys, more |
| Additional Construction | Immediate development of another 150,000 sq. ft. office tower |
| Historic Element | Incorporation of a revitalized 100-year-old building |
Crosland Southeast executives described the project as a high-risk bet made during the depths of COVID-19 — one now paying off as Scout Motors becomes the first major office tenant in the emerging Plaza Midwood district.
South Carolina’s Blythewood Plant: The Manufacturing Backbone
While Charlotte will serve as the corporate command center, Blythewood, South Carolina remains the heart of Scout’s manufacturing operations.
Key facility details include:
- $2–$2.3 billion investment
- 1,600-acre site with 1,100-acre main plant
- Up to 4,000 jobs
- 200,000 vehicles produced annually at full capacity
- Production start: late 2026 to 2027
- New $300 million supplier park (2.3M sq. ft. across 200 acres)
More than 14,000 people have expressed interest in working at the plant.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster emphasized that while Charlotte will host the headquarters, Blythewood remains a generational manufacturing win for his state.
Reviving an American Icon: The Return of Scout
Volkswagen acquired the Scout trademark in 2021 and established Scout Motors in 2022 to revive the historic off-road brand originally produced from 1961 to 1980. The modern lineup will include electric SUVs, electric pickups, and even plug-in hybrids.
CEO Scott Keogh highlighted the symbolism of the revival during the announcement, holding a brick from the original Fort Wayne Scout plant — identical to one placed at the Blythewood site.
“To bring back Scout is not just to revive a relic,” Keogh said. “It is to bring back a revolution — bringing manufacturing, innovation, and American spirit back to life.”
The emotional moment extended to the public when North Carolina Governor Josh Stein drove a restored 1977 International Scout II to the headquarters event.
A Transformative Step for North Carolina’s Mobility Leadership
As Scout Motors prepares to relocate 365 employees from Northern Virginia and hire 835 locally, the headquarters is expected to generate over 3,800 indirect jobs in the region. State officials project an economic impact of nearly $5 billion over 12 years.
Governor Josh Stein said the choice proved that North Carolina’s workforce, universities, clean-energy progress, and quality of life make it a natural destination for next-generation companies.
Strengthening the Carolinas’ Role in Future Automotive Innovation
Scout Motors’ decision signals more than a headquarters relocation — it marks the creation of a two-state automotive powerhouse. With Charlotte serving as the company’s strategic brain and Blythewood operating as its production engine, the Carolinas are poised to become a national center for electric mobility, manufacturing, and engineering excellence.
This development not only revives one of America’s most iconic vehicle brands but also anchors a long-term economic transformation in the region, driven by innovation, skilled talent, and a shared vision for the next era of automotive technology.
FAQs on Scout Motors’ $206M Charlotte Headquarters Project
1. What is Scout Motors investing in Charlotte?
Scout Motors is investing about $206–$207 million to establish its U.S. corporate headquarters in Charlotte’s Commonwealth development.
2. How many jobs will the new Scout Motors HQ create?
The Charlotte headquarters will create 1,200 high-paying jobs between 2026 and 2030, with average annual salaries above $150,000.
3. Why did Scout Motors choose Charlotte for its headquarters?
Charlotte was selected for its talent pool, business climate, universities, infrastructure, and strong growth in the automotive and clean-energy sectors.
4. Where will Scout Motors manufacture its vehicles?
Scout Motors will build electric trucks and SUVs at its $2–$2.3 billion manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, starting production between 2026 and 2027.
5. What incentives did Scout Motors receive for the Charlotte HQ?
The project received state, city, and county incentives totaling roughly $70 million, including a Job Development Investment Grant from North Carolina.
