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Where is Subaru Corporation in the development of new all-electric models? We learned five things about Subaru from its new integrated Corporate report released last month. New battery-electric all-wheel-drive vehicles and hybrid models are coming, but when?
1. The U.S. is Subaru’s priority market
Subaru will prioritize its U.S. customers, meaning new North American-specific models will come to U.S. shores. Subaru currently has a U.S. market share of 3.9 percent, with a goal of increasing it to 5 percent. The Japanese automaker will need to introduce new products to reach the goal. Look for new models like the Crosstrek Wilderness, which will be the next new model for its U.S. customers.
2. Subaru will accelerate electrification
SUV sales account for 80 percent of Subaru’s sales, so the automaker will now focus on new SUVs with battery-electric technology.
Subaru plans to invest approximately 250 billion yen (1.9 billion dollars) over the next five years. Subaru says, “While accelerating electrification, we also look for other ways of contributing to a decarbonized society through internal combustion engines.” At both of Subaru’s plants, they will establish a high-efficiency, flexible production system.
Since March 2022, Subaru has participated in a Japanese racing series, “Super Taikyu Series 2022”, with a BRZ racing model that runs on carbon-neutral fuel produced by synthesizing components derived from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, biomass, etc.
3. Subaru will build new EVs starting in 2025
Subaru says they are targeting the launch of in-house production of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) at the Yajima Plant around 2025 and the additional launch of a dedicated BEV production line at the Oizumi Plant in 2027 or later.
“We will keep taking market feedback seriously, linking it to our future electrification strategy. In parallel with these efforts, we have strategically begun restructuring our domestic production to respond to the market’s transition to BEVs. As we evolve the Subaru difference, we will accelerate activities towards electrification based on our roadmap”, says Subaru’s report.
4. Subaru’s Roadmap
By 2030 Subaru plans to make at least 40 percent of its global sales BEVs or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). By the first half of the 2030s, they will apply electrification technologies to all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide.
By 2050 reduce average CO2 emissions from new vehicles sold worldwide by at least 90 percent compared to 2010 levels. Subaru will enhance its vehicle’s driving dynamics by using all-wheel-drive mated with “highly responsive electric motors.”
Subaru says, “We will continue to enhance the Subaru difference in the age of electrification and accelerate the roadmap toward 2050.”
Subaru says their accumulated knowledge in all-wheel-drive technology has a strong affinity with electric motors, facilitating a further evolution of driving stability and reliability. Subaru will first keep its core values of quality and safety in its new BEVs.
5. Subaru will improve quality
Subaru is improving its quality control in a new final vehicle inspection building. At its Gunma plant, they are reviewing processes and updating the Final Vehicle Inspection Buildings to implement more stringent final vehicle inspections.
In August 2022, one of the three new final inspection buildings launched its operations in Japan, and the facility will be expanded to other lines in the future. The report says Subaru will continue to strive to become the brand that is the preferred choice for our customers through quality that allows them to use our vehicles with peace of mind for many years to come.”
2023 Subaru Solterra EV
Subaru’s all-new 2023 Solterra EV has arrived now, but Subaru of America’s allotment of the battery-electric model is already pre-sold. Customers who order a new Solterra EV now will likely get the 2024 Solterra models that will be delivered next year. Subaru will make few changes to the 2024 model year only in its second year of production. But there will be a price increase.
Subaru is making progress in the development of new all-electric all-wheel-drive vehicles. New models manufactured by Subaru Corporation are coming, but they are still a few years away. Stay tuned.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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