Volkswagen’s new automobile plant in South Carolina is turning out to be costlier than initially expected. According to “Handelsblatt”, the pickup‑maker Scout has increased the projected investment from $2 billion to $3 billion.
The company’s spokesperson confirmed the updated figure. Scout had planned a “world‑class production site” from the start, saying that “our investments have grown alongside the realization of this vision”. The earlier announced $2 billion was described as only a “guaranteed minimum investment” under the agreement with the state.
The key factor behind the higher cost, the spokesperson added, is the expansion of the plant’s footprint to include a $300 million supplier park on site. The park is intended to boost efficiency and generate local jobs. Scout had announced construction of the supplier park in September, and the build‑out is progressing as scheduled: “Today our Scout production center stands, and our main buildings are weather‑proof”.
Local economic developers from the Columbia Area Development Partnership (CADP) also confirmed the new total of $3 billion to the newspaper. CADP President Jeff Ruble said Scout notified them last week. He noted that the plant’s expansion will have a substantial impact on local tax revenue. “The massive investments by Scout and the new jobs created by this historic new factory will transform our region” Ruble remarked.