Manufacturing 2024: SCOTT KEOGH

Keogh is leading German parent company Volkswagen AG’s new electric truck and sport utility vehicle division.

Scout is a revamp of the iconic Scout all-terrain vehicle brand produced by International Harvester in the 1960s and ’70s. In 2021, Volkswagen acquired the rights to Scout’s name after buying Navistar International, which succeeded International Harvester, for $3.7 billion.

Volkswagen announced in March 2023 it would build a $2 billion manufacturing plant near Columbia, South Carolina, to house Scout’s assembly operations, with the possibility of at least 4,000 permanent jobs. At full capacity, the new facility could produce more than 200,000 Scout vehicles annually.

In September 2023, construction on the site was delayed, with officials saying they needed more time to obtain wetland permits. Scout still aims to begin production of electric SUV and pickup truck models by late 2026.

Before his leadership role with Scout, Keogh served as president and CEO for Volkswagen of America from 2018 to 2022. At Audi of America from 2006 to 2018, Keogh served as its chief marketing officer before becoming president. He also has years of experience at Mercedes-Benz USA, from 1995 until joining Audi.