Subaru finds itself lagging behind in the realm of electrification, a fact not lost on the company. The Japanese automaker currently offers just one fully electric vehiclefor sale, the Solterra, which is based on Toyota’s bZ4X electric vehicle. Subaru aims to increase the adoption of battery electric vehicles and hybrid models among its customers. By 2025, the company aims to expand its lineup significantly with more electric vehicles.
According to a report by Automotive News, Subaru is actively moving in this direction. The company has redirected resources and funding towards electrification initiatives and is set to enhance collaboration with Toyota for engineering support. Subaru views this collaboration as crucial to its electrification goals.
Subaru plans to introduce its own dedicated electric vehicles by the mid-2020s, which will be manufactured on the same production line as its internal combustion engine cars. However, the shift to a separate production line exclusively for electric vehicles is not expected until 2027. This approach may prioritize manufacturability over design aspects such as battery range.
Subaru
Toyota is also navigating its own electrification path, with the bZ4X being its current flagship battery electric vehicle. However, the specifications of this model are not particularly impressive. This situation raises questions about the potential progress of both companies in the early half of the upcoming decade. Toyota’s single electric vehicle offering contrasts with the expanding range of electric vehicles from other manufacturers like Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors.
Nevertheless, Toyota’s newCEO, Koji Sato, displays a stronger commitment to electrification compared to his predecessor, Akio Toyoda. There is optimism that the large automaker can leverage its substantial engineering capabilities to accelerate its electrification pace. While Japanese automakers may exhibit hesitancy towards electrification, meeting regulatory requirements and catering to a growing segment of environmentally-conscious customers are becoming increasingly important.
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