Audi could be preparing to enter the rugged off-road SUV segment, with a new report suggesting it may build vehicles at Scout Motors’ upcoming factory in South Carolina. The Volkswagen Group-owned facility, currently planned for Scout models, could reportedly produce around 25,000 vehicles annually for the US and export markets.
The $2 billion plant near Columbia is being developed to build the Scout Traveler SUV and Terra pickup. Both were initially revealed as electric vehicles, but Scout has since confirmed plans for range-extender petrol engines as well.
Audi has yet to confirm its involvement, but the report adds weight to earlier comments from CEO Gernot Döllner. He has previously spoken about expanding the brand’s lineup with rugged SUVs, alongside more sports cars, and has expressed interest in competing with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender.
A Scout-based Audi would make sense within the Volkswagen Group, allowing the brand to use existing engineering and manufacturing resources rather than start from scratch. A body-on-frame construction is also a possibility, although no technical details have been confirmed.
For now, the project remains unconfirmed. If it happens, Audi could soon have a very different kind of SUV in its lineup.
