Isuzu Breaks Ground on New State-Of-The-Art Motor Vehicle Production Plant in South Carolina

Gray, a fully integrated design-builder, has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art motor vehicle production plant for Isuzu North America Corporation, a global leader in commercial vehicles.

The announcement was made on October 2, 2025 on PR Newswire. The project expands and modernizes a 1,000,000-square-foot facility in Piedmont, South Carolina, reflecting Isuzu’s decision to grow its U.S. production footprint. Gray will deliver the design and construction, reinforcing its reputation as one of the nation’s leading auto plant contractors. Engineering News-Record recently ranked Gray No. 3 among Top Contractors for Auto Plants.

Once complete, the facility will manufacture gas, diesel, and electric-powered vehicles, supporting the growing shift to vehicle electrification in the U.S. The plant will be the first Isuzu site to feature a variable-model, variable-volume production system for multiple powertrains. It will also debut an innovative production line design that eliminates conveyors and pits, using advanced systems to maximize flexibility, scalability, and automation.

For more than 40 years, Isuzu trucks have served U.S. customers, beginning with its first vehicle shipped in 1984. Today, the company operates a network of more than 300 dealerships across North America.

Isuzu Expands Its U.S. Electric Truck Lineup

Isuzu, a global leader in commercial vehicles, is accelerating its push into the U.S. electric truck market. With deliveries of its NRR-EV Class 5 model already underway and larger F-series electric trucks on the horizon, the company is signaling a long-term commitment to electrified fleet solutions.

The Isuzu NRR-EV is a fully electric, medium-duty Class 5 truck that began deliveries in Southern California in late 2024. Nationwide customer rollouts are continuing through 2025, bringing the vehicle to more fleets across the country. The NRR-EV is available with battery configurations ranging from 60 to 180 kilowatt-hours, offering flexibility in range to suit different applications. Powered by a 150-kilowatt electric motor, the truck is designed for real-world fleet needs, giving businesses a reliable, emissions-free option to help achieve environmental goals, while providing tremendous cost savings.

Isuzu is preparing to launch battery-electric versions of its Class 6 and 7 F-series trucks in 2027. These vehicles will be produced at Isuzu’s new North American manufacturing facility in Piedmont, South Carolina.

For more than four decades, Isuzu has been a trusted name in U.S. trucking. Now, with the NRR-EV on the road and the upcoming F-series electric models in development, supported by a major investment in domestic production, Isuzu is positioning itself as a key player in the next era of clean and efficient commercial transportation.

Growing Momentum for EV Manufacturing in South Carolina

EV and battery manufacturing is growing fast in South Carolina.

Scout Motors is making the most high-profile move with a $2 billion EV truck and SUV plant in Blythewood, which is expected to create around 4,000 permanent jobs and produce more than 200,000 vehicles annually.

Aiken County is set to gain more than 100 new jobs as Columbia Vehicle Group establishes its first South Carolina location. The electric vehicle manufacturer has moved into the Old Phelon Plant on University Parkway, marking a major step in the county’s growing role in clean transportation manufacturing.

Construction and facility upgrades are already underway, with completion expected sooner than anticipated. According to Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, the company is committing about $12 million in investment and plans to create 180 jobs tied to the project. Sean McNally, Columbia Vehicle Group marketing director, spoke to WRDW about jobs.

“Everything from engineers, assembly workers, welders, powder coating tool and die sales engineering, production support and buyers,” McNally told WRDW about the positions coming available. “So there’s a wide variety of needs, even some accountants.”

Columbia Vehicle Group specializes in producing smaller-scale electric vehicles such as golf carts, e-bikes, utility vehicles, and maintenance transport units.

e-VAC Magnetics is building a $500 million permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Sumter County, South Carolina, to supply magnets for electric vehicles (EVs) and defense systems. The project was announced in December 2023, expected to create 300 new jobs, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in March 2024. Operations are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025. eVAC is part of VACUUMSCHMELZE (“VAC Group” or “VAC.”)

eVAC’s NdFeB permanent magnet solutions are used in automotive, industrial and renewable energy applications. The eVAC facility and VAC’s decades of experience in rare earth magnet technology and process intellectual property is critical to ensuring North American domestic supply continuity.

AESC Stops Construction on $1.6B Battery Cell Facility in South Carolina

In June 2025, Japan’s electric vehicle battery cell manufacturer AESC announced a temporary halt in construction of its planned $1.6 billion factory, citing “policy and market uncertainty.” The pause at the Florence County, South Carolina site comes at a time when economically damaging tariffs, shifting regulations and fluctuating demand are reshaping the EV industry.

EVinfo.net’s Take

South Carolina has become one of the front lines of EV and battery manufacturing in the U.S., thanks to concerted efforts from government, industry, and educational institutions. The jobs being created are not only numerous but often better-paying than existing local averages, with some South Carolina facilities reporting average wages above $60,000. They also bring stability, as EV manufacturing is a long-term trend that will keep evolving rather than fading quickly.

But, as AESC’s announcement shows, we must encourage the federal government to act more responsibly and stop the economically damaging tariffs, as well as create a stable economic environment where companies can invest and plan for the future with confidence.

What is happening in South Carolina mirrors a broader national trend. Across the United States, battery factories, component manufacturers, and EV assembly plants are multiplying. Many states are competing to host gigafactories and specialized suppliers, which are creating high-wage jobs that often require advanced technical skills in battery chemistry, robotics, and electronics.

Federal policy, particularly through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other infrastructure programs, encouraged companies to build locally and source materials domestically, further boosting job creation. Some automakers are retooling existing plants that once produced internal combustion vehicles into EV production hubs, preserving established workforces while preparing them for the future. These manufacturing booms also ripple outward, generating indirect jobs in construction, logistics, and local services while requiring new workforce training programs to meet demand.

Clean Technica reported this week that “The tariffs are severely disrupting the automotive industry, a key global economic driver.” So, the tariffs damage the entire auto industry, not just the EV part of it.

It’s vital to keep supporting projects like Isuzu, eVAC, Columbia Vehicle Group, and AESC’s that were boosted by the forward-thinking IRA and other programs. EV manufacturing is expected to remain one of the biggest drivers of job and economic growth in the coming decade, but government policy must help, not hinder, this advancement.