[DetroitMan]

Scout Motors plans EV R&D center, 200 new jobs in Novi

Electric truck manufacturer Scout Motors Inc. is looking to invest $11 million and create 200 jobs with a new research and development center in Novi.

The Volkswagen-backed company aims to set up the innovation center in tandem with its South Carolina factory launch expected by the end of 2026. The project in Oakland County would create a hub for Scout’s product design and engineering, according to a briefing memo from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The new jobs are expected to pay an average of $3,714 per week plus benefits. The plan is being supported with a $10 million performance-based grant, approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

The grant helps to “address the up-front cost disadvantage of locating the project in Michigan when compared to the competing sites outside of Michigan,” the memo said.

The brand said the facility, which it named the Scout Innovation Center, will be home to its product, design and engineering teams, as well as members of cross-functional support teams.

“As we design and engineer our vehicles, Michigan is the perfect place to establish our Innovation Center due to its deep automotive roots," Scout CEO Scott Keogh said in a Tuesday statement.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/automo...0-rd-jobs-novi