2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:55 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 17:26 UTC
Audi plans to build 25,000 vehicles annually at the Scout Motors plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, according to a U.S. official, though neither Audi nor Scout Motors has confirmed the detail. This potential production would involve a body-on-frame off-road vehicle, leveraging Scout's platform and infrastructure, and could allow Audi to bypass tariffs on imported cars while targeting the lucrative U.S. market for rugged luxury SUVs. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has previously indicated interest in expanding the brand's lineup to include off-road models, citing the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender as benchmarks.
The South Carolina facility, funded in part by Volkswagen Group with $2 billion, is intended to revive the Scout brand with electric and gas-powered off-road vehicles. While Audi has not officially linked any model to the plant, the company showcased a Q6 e-tron offroad concept in 2025, signaling its design direction. Production at the site could also include vehicles for export, according to the same U.S. official.
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