Report: Foxconn Could Work With VW to Bring Scout Back

Foxconn, the company known for building iPhones (and putting workers through grueling conditions), could help Volkswagen bring Scout back to the States.

Automotive News reports that Foxconn, a Taiwanese company, is in talks to contract with VW to build the Scout. Foxconn already builds pickup trucks for Lordstown Motors, after buying out the former General Motors plant in Ohio in 2019.

Foxconn has also shown off two EV prototypes as it shows its ambitions to become an automaker.

The report says Foxconn isn't the only potential dance partner for Volkswagen -- Austrian supplier Magna Steyr, a subsidiary of Canadian conglomerate Magna International, has been mulling opening a plant in the U.S. It could pair with VW to build Scouts at such a facility.

VW, for its part, is being mum.

"We are very pleased with the progress the Scout team is making and with the enthusiasm it's already generating among current fans and future customers," a VW spokesman said.

We'd be remiss if we didn't note that Foxconn is in the news this week due to worker protests over delayed payment of bonuses, as well as complaints that workers were forced to bunk with those who were infected with COVID-19.

The company denied such reports: "Regarding any violence, the company will continue to communicate with employees and the government to prevent similar incidents from happening again," Foxconn told CNBC.

Volkswagen might decide to avoid pairing with such a controversial company to avoid bad press.

It's also possible that other OEMs could step in to help VW get Scout launched in the States -- and given its size, we can't rule out Volkswagen Auto Group tapping one of its existing plants.

[Image: Volkswagen/Scout]

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