CHARLESTON — Scout Motors is investing more than $2 billion to build electric-powered vehicles in South Carolina. But the company won't be bringing its headquarters and 1,100 high-paying jobs to the Palmetto State.

The automaker announced it has picked Charlotte, about 75 miles up Interstate 77 from its future Blythewood manufacturing campus, for a new site that will be its "long-term center of gravity" for its corporate operations.

Scout said it came to the decision after "a comprehensive, multi-state evaluation process."

"Charlotte stood out for its combination of workforce strength, business climate, livability, strategic location and alignment with the Scout brand’s adventurous spirit," the company said in written statement.

CEO Scott Keogh called the Queen City "an ideal home."

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