Audi Could Use American-Made Scout Chassis for Next-Gen Off-Road SUV

[Source: InsideEVs]

Audi profits are down in 2025. There are several reasons for this but one of the biggest is the impact of the U.S. tariffs. As you probably already know, Audi does not build any vehicles in America. As a result, they are exposed to the higher tariffs that have been imposed this year. We have speculated before that this may have Audi considering building a plant in America. But what a report by InsideEVs is saying that Audi might instead use a Scout Motors American factory.

Scout Motors is an American company backed by the Volkswagen Group. And it just so happens that Scout is building a new plant in Blythewood, South Carolina. The plant is expected to come online by the end of 2027. Audi may be eyeing this plant as well as a Scout SUV platform for an American market 4×4. 

Scout EREVs

Scout vehicles are expected to be extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that use a gas engine to recharge the EV battery. This helps extend range to approximately 500 miles. The new made-for-America Audi SUV is also expected to be an EREV. With that being the case, using the Scout platform and factory makes a lot of sense.

“This approach will allow Audi to produce vehicles in the U.S. avoiding high investments and import tariffs. In a similar way Audi has introduced a new model in China this year, developed specifically for the Chinese market and sold under the AUDI subbrand,” says a report by Automotive News Europe.

Will Audi enthusiasts push back at this approach? We shouldn’t. We would all love to see Audi come out with a rugged SUV to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender. And this Scout-sharing plan would be much less expensive for Audi compared to building a new plant and it will likely get the new rugged SUV in the hands of customers much faster. 

Sharing a platform shouldn’t worry people either. There are already several cases of platform sharing across various other Volkswagen Group brands. Audi needs to inject more fun and interesting vehicles into their lineup. They also need a solution to the tariffs. A Scout-based Audi 4×4 could be the answer to both.