Blythewood, SC (AP) – Made by Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors Large bets In the electric SUV market, there is a carefully grown experience that allows some customers to purchase their company’s vehicles in minutes on the app, allowing them to handle everything from repairs to updates and upgrades.
But without help from lawmakers, that would not be possible in South Carolina, where the company pours billions of dollars into new car plants and experiences a scout motor experience like a Greer BMW test truck. It’s there.
In a world where you can buy almost everything online, cars are still the exception. Supporters of the dealer model say the experience allows buyers to compare prices across several businesses.
Unlike pants where color, style and size are the only concern, car purchases include funding, state registration, taxes and regulations, but often include test drives.
South Carolina is one of around 20 states that ban manufacturers from selling vehicles directly to consumers and require them to purchase all new cars from dealers instead. Scouts hope that practices could change nationwide for all EV makers and start in a new backyard.
South Carolina also prohibits manufacturers from owning their own service centers. This means that anyone who wants to own a Scout SUV should travel to another state to provide repairs or services.
Those who support the dealer structure said online sales could lead to carmakers reducing competition and increasing their prices.
The dealer structure requires local business owners to support what they sell and ensure that buyers get quality service on their vehicles. Auto dealers often have close ties with the community, and cities can lose one of the biggest businesses and the worst taxpayers.
“If for some reason the car is lemon or it’s not finished work, they’re people who live there and pay taxes to send their kids to school,” says Republican Senator Larry, who runs the Senate. Grooms said. Transportation Commission is likely to end invoices that change rules.
Scouts are decided Change the law To help them as well as other EV makers like Tesla and Libian. They went to Mediablitz, which contained stories in their local stores. They are also trying to secure support in Republican-controlled states, arguing that consumers should freely buy whatever they want directly without intermediaries.
Scouts are armed at the Attorney General’s Office in 2000 opinion The bill that will become law in a few weeks will serve as a recent major overhaul of South Carolina law regarding new car purchases.
“If a manufacturer cannot sell his or her product, but the constitutional need to pass that product to a ‘middleman’, then the understanding of the free market system is far from the base. The Internet is not a local tool for protectionism, but a global web of trade,” then Republican state attorney general Charlie Condon said. .
Scout officials say using a dealer-only business model will complicate what vehicles targeted at under $60,000 markets are too expensive and the company wants to be a seamless experience from start to finish. .
Gov. Henry McMaster has promoted the Scout Factory in Blythewood as one of his biggest economic development scores. Pay to help workers, parts and new SUVs in and out.
McMaster recently said he wants to protect his dealers, but he also wants to have his scouts sell directly.
“The Internet, Amazon and all other customers have been looking for the ability to order things directly without an intermediary over the past few years on the Internet and Amazon,” McMaster said.
Scouts are trying to find a niche in the growing but uncertain US electric vehicle market. President Donald Trump’s election could threaten the industry, both through tax credits and tariffs that could raise prices.
The original Scout Motor produced gasoline-powered vehicles for about 20 years, owned by International Harvester. Production ended in 1980, but its shape and function continue to affect modern SUVs. Scouts have always had a niche collector fans ever since.
The new Scout Motors is looking to take advantage of the combination of nostalgia and technology. Apps are key to Scout’s success, says Growth Cody Thacker.
He expects scout buyers to scroll through types and colors, performance and comfort options, and hundreds of other options. All funding, titles and documents are processed in minutes, not dealer time. That custom SUV can be delivered to the buyer’s door.
“You see the points of conflict and the big opportunities,” football said.
Scout’s factory in Blythewood, about 20 miles (32 kilometres) north of Columbia, will open in 2027 and employ up to 4,000 people if it can achieve its goal of manufacturing and selling 200,000 vehicles a year. is.
Scouts also want to build a centre in the factory where they can drive vehicles on tours in corporate-owned trucks. For that to work, the company thinks it can sell the car to someone after zooming the site, Thacker said.
South Carolina agreed to give Scouts more in 2023 Billion Dollar Incentive Land the plants. At the time, the dealership law was not on the radar. It came as management began to see business models, soccer said.
The company doesn’t regret choosing South Carolina, but it still believes it has given it the best workforce, economic situation and infrastructure. And if the law does not change the sale of vehicles through other states, if they can obtain a national license that allows them to send tax benefits from the state, that will move forward, Thacker said.
