Scout Motors announces Scout Innovation Center coming to Novi

Scout Motors Inc., headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, is an independent U.S. auto manufacturer backed by Volkswagen Group. The company was formed in 2022 to design and manufacture all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs in the same tradition that made the original Scout an American icon. Originally produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980, the Scout was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. The company plans to revitalize the brand and is expected to begin vehicle production at the end of 2026. Scout has 132 employees across the U.S., with 44 of them in Michigan.
 
The company plans to establish a new research and development facility in Novi, which will serve as a hub for future innovation and development for the auto industry within the U.S. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $11 million and create 200 high-wage jobs with the support of a $10 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over competing sites in several Southern states because of the strength of the automotive engineering talent in the state.
 
The project represents the first new automotive OEM to invest in Michigan in 20 years. The project will bring immediate, high-wage engineering, design, and development jobs to the state with a large and growing auto manufacturer, and further builds on Michigan’s global leadership in mobility and automotive R&D.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL SUPPORT? Learn more about careers with Scout Motors here.