WORDS: Scout Motors IMAGES: Apollo Davis & Scout Motors
ong before Apollo Davis worked on automation systems, he grew up watching those close to him spend hours under open hoods, turn wrenches, and bring vehicles back to life. He was fascinated from the very beginning.
“My love for cars stems from my childhood, watching family members and neighborhood mechanics fix and tinker around with vehicles that needed to be repaired,” Apollo said. “I thought it was cool to be able to fix your own equipment.”
That curiosity followed him through years in auto shops, telecommunications, and automotive manufacturing. Today, as a Maintenance Technician in Automation at the Scout Motors Production Center in Blythewood, South Carolina, Apollo has found his way back to where that curiosity began.
Only now, he is helping build something special from the ground up.
Building Something At Home
Apollo was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, where most of his family still lives, and has never been one to wait for opportunity to find him. A piece of advice from his mother has guided him throughout his career: “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”
For Apollo, that has meant asking questions, building relationships, staying informed, and putting himself in position before the opportunity arrives. So, when Scout Motors began building its presence in nearby Blythewood, he paid attention.
About a year before hiring began for the automation maintenance roles he was interested in, Apollo signed up for Scout Motors news and hiring updates. When the opportunity came, he was ready.
"When I see these vehicles across the entire country, I can smile and say I helped build the rebirth of an American icon."
Apollo became part of training Class #001, joining the first group of Maintenance Technicians and Production Associates preparing to build the next generation of Scout® vehicles in South Carolina.
For him, the opportunity was about more than career growth. It was a chance to help build something lasting in the place that raised him.
“I’m proud to be part of something great and contribute in my home state of South Carolina,” he said.
Apollo can’t wait to see Scout vehicles traveling across the country and know the work happening in Blythewood helped put them there.
“When I see these vehicles across the entire country, I can smile and say I helped build the rebirth of an American icon,” he said.
Learning to Go Together
Apollo quickly learned throughout his career that you rarely get far by going it alone.
His team at Scout Motors brings together people from different career paths, manufacturing environments, and parts of the world. They arrive with various years of professional experience, leadership skills, technical knowledge, and lessons learned at other facilities.
Apollo sees that diversity as one of the team’s greatest strengths.
“What surprises me most about the people who work at Scout Motors is everyone is striving toward the same common goal, although we may come from different backgrounds,” he said.
That mindset showed up during an Industrial Pneumatics course at readySC, the workforce development division of the South Carolina Technical College System. Apollo’s class was divided into small groups and tasked with troubleshooting faults instructors had created on training systems powered by air cylinders.
Once Apollo’s group solved its problems, they didn’t stop. They started helping classmates who were still troubleshooting, sharing what they had learned and working through the remaining challenges together.
It’s one example of why he says it’s the Scout Way value, Go Together, that resonates with him most. “If we Go Together, we are holding each other to an extremely high standard to achieve greatness in a results-based industry,” Apollo said.
Apollo is just as interested in opening doors for others as he is in walking through them himself.
Growing up, he learned the importance of sharing resources, supporting people, and looking out for his community. Over time, that became a belief that the right information, and the right connection, can change someone’s path.
Today, he tries to provide both. Apollo regularly encourages people in his network to consider opportunities at Scout Motors, especially those who might count themselves out because they’ve never worked in automotive or manufacturing.
“You do not need an automotive or manufacturing background to be successful here,” Apollo said. “Be confident in your unique set of skills and what you can bring to the company. Stay open-minded, positive, and confident with the right attitude. And never stop networking to build strong relationships. Everyone is worthy of a fair chance.”
Built for the Long Run
Patience comes naturally to Apollo. It has to.
He’s been running for more than 35 years, starting in high school after spending his childhood watching groups of runners pass his house early on weekend mornings and wondering where they were going.
Eventually, he found the answer for himself and never really stopped. Today, Apollo runs to clear his head and reset, often joining local fitness group, Black Men Run, for Sunday runs around Columbia. Over the years, the miles have taught him lessons that sound a lot like the ones that have shaped the rest of his life.
“Completing half marathons have helped shape my discipline, patience, willingness to be assertive, and mental toughness,” he said. “All of which have contributed to my body of work on the job.”
Maybe that explains something about Apollo. He has spent much of his life putting one foot in front of the other — staying ready, building relationships, and trusting that preparation eventually meets opportunity.
Through it all, his parents remain a steady influence.
“Hearing the voice of my mom and dad always keeps me grounded and encouraged,” Apollo said.
His mother’s advice to speak up has carried him a long way. It pushed him to stay ahead of opportunities, advocate for himself, and help others find their own path forward.
Turns out, a closed mouth doesn’t get fed. And when Apollo finds an open door, he has no intention of walking through it alone.
Disclaimer: Scout Motors celebrates the legacy of Scout vehicles and the passionate community that keeps them alive. However, Scout Motors does not sell, restore, or provide parts or services for vintage Scout vehicles. Any modifications or restorations featured are the work of individual owners or third-party specialists.
The next chapter of an iconic American brand is being shaped by the people bringing it to life every day. Whether you’re a builder, problem-solver, creator, or innovator, your work can help shape what’s next. Join us and help shape the future of Scout Motors.
