Volkswagen Group’s new Scout Motors rugged EV model on Friday confirmed plans for a $2 billion manufacturing unit in South Carolina resulting from start producing autos in 2026, beginning with an electrical SUV concentrating on a base worth of round $40,000.

Situated about 20 miles from the state capital of Columbia, the manufacturing unit is projected to supply 200,000 autos yearly when at full capability, and can create a minimum of 4,000 everlasting jobs.

The primary Scout mannequin beneath VW’s aegis, to be unveiled in 2024, will likely be a “rugged utility car” or “RUV,” Scout CEO Scott Keogh stated in an interview with TechCrunch. Keogh, who leads the electrical Scout resurrection after a stint as head of the VW Group in North America, stated the utility car will likely be adopted “in fast succession” by a bigger electrical pickup truck.

Within the interview, Keogh additionally stated the utility car will goal a base worth within the $40,000 vary, whereas the pickup will likely be “a bit north of there.”

These plans roughly match what VW stated final Might when it introduced the Scout model. That announcement included plans for an off-road pickup and SUV impressed by the Worldwide Harvester Scout, a basic off-roader produced from 1960 to 1981. VW acquired the rights to the Scout title with its buy of Navistar, a successor firm of Worldwide Harvester, in 2020.

The rollout could also be barely delayed, nevertheless. VW initially stated prototypes of the Scout fashions can be proven in 2023, though the 2026 launch date for the SUV has remained constant. Additionally constant is the styling, clearly influenced by the unique Scout, which seems unchanged in a teaser picture launched alongside the manufacturing unit announcement.

VW has stated the Scout autos will trip on a brand new platform, which can seemingly be necessary in serving to them match different electrical off-roaders just like the Rivian R1S and R1T, and the forthcoming Jeep Recon. There are rumors fellow VW Group model Audi might also launch a rugged SUV, maybe utilizing the Scout’s platform.