Whitmer announces 200 new high-tech jobs coming to Novi

On Tuesday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Scout Motors, a Volkswagen-backed, independent American auto manufacturer headquartered in Virginia, is establishing a new research and development facility in the city of Novi with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Scout Motors’ new R&D facility to Michigan, creating 200 good-paying engineering jobs right here in Michigan. Winning this investment proves that Michigan offers the best opportunity for automotive companies – from R&D to manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. “I was honored to represent Team Michigan on my international trade mission at the beginning of the year, helping close this deal and secure this cutting-edge facility in Michigan as we round out 2023. As I’ve said throughout the year, I am committed to going anywhere and working with anyone to deliver for Michiganders here at home. Let’s continue building on this progress into 2024 and keep working together so every family, community, and business can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

Governor Whitmer met with executives from the company while traveling home from her international trade mission in January, making the case that with its attractive business climate, robust talent pool, and undisputed leadership in future mobility and vehicle electrification, Michigan was the smart location for a growing automotive company to establish its R&D operations and create engineering jobs. Today’s announcement rounds out that landmark investment mission with a landmark R&D investment in the state.

Scout Motors will make a capital investment of $11 million and create 200 high-paying jobs in Michigan that support the state’s work to position itself as the global leader in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification. The project will bring immediate, high-wage engineering, design, and development jobs to southeast Michigan with an innovative, growing auto manufacturer, and further builds on Michigan’s strength in mobility and automotive R&D.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Scout Motors to Michigan as we continue to secure our position as the leader in future mobility and electrification. This project represents the kind of R&D investment we continue to put Michigan in a position to win through a Make It in Michigan strategy,” said?Quentin Messer Jr.,?CEO of the MEDC and president and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund.
“We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, legislators from both parties, and local officials in Novi, Oakland County and the Detroit region for their continued support for our programs that help make announcements like today’s possible.”

Scout Motors Inc., 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.

The company’s new research and development facility in the city of Novi will serve as a hub for future innovation and development for the auto industry within the U.S. The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved a $10 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant in support of the project. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over competing sites in part because of the strength of automotive engineering talent in the state.

“Our new vehicles will honor Scout’s hard-working heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “As we design and engineer our vehicles, Michigan is the perfect place to establish our Innovation Center due to its deep automotive roots, continued investment in innovation and ability to attract and train a talented, diverse workforce.”

Oakland County is providing a $150,000 grant in support of the project. Learn more about careers with Scout Motors.

“In Oakland County, we are actively invested in the success of advanced manufacturing and the mobility industry of the future.
We are excited to collaborate with the state and Detroit Regional Partnership to help attract Scout Motors and its new research and development facility to Novi,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We welcome this project and look forward to working with Scout to introduce the company to the skilled and talented workers who call Oakland County home.”