Major Changes are Coming for Subaru; The New Crosstrek Will Get Safer and Electrification is Coming

Major changes are coming for Subaru vehicles, and it will start with the new-generation 2018 Crosstrek crossover. Subaru says they will go-it-alone when they develop their new all-electric Crosstrek and they won’t partner with any other automaker. Subaru Corporation CEO, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, told Bloomberg, they won’t create a sub-brand for their EV cars like other automakers. This will allow the Japanese automaker to capitalize on what has made them popular around the globe, and stick with the Subaru name. Fuji Heavy Industries, parent company of Subaru, even changed their name on April 1st to Subaru Corporation in order to put more focus on their niche brand of automobiles.

What’s next for Subaru

Subaru won’t be developing a new EV nameplate and they are expected to use an existing vehicle in their lineup when they bring out a new plug-in-hybrid likely next year as a 2019 model, and an all-electric by 2021. As we reported on here at TorqueNews, the technology will be installed in the Crosstrek crossover in North America (XV in other global markets). Subaru Corporation will be spending twice the amount on Research and Development ($1.2 billion) for Crosstrek’s electrification in 2018 than they will spend this year. They will also spend more on their driver assist technology.

Yoshinaga told Bloomberg he hasn’t ruled out an automotive partner for their new EV, but they will likely focus on selecting a supplier for the vehicle’s battery and electric motor, and mentioned Panasonic and Samsung Electronics as possible partners. Subaru Corp will use their existing Boxer engine, a unique power component for the brand, coupled with the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology in the Crosstrek. Other things won’t change at Subaru.

Subaru has developed a brand name that is known for safety, and their Symmetrical all-wheel-drive technology. Keeping this tight focus will allow them to channel their resources on their core values as their vehicles continue to evolve with the latest EV technology.

Go to Page 2 -Subaru will stick with what made them successful

Safety is a core value for the brand and it will stay at the forefront for Subaru in their new vehicles. It’s been reported by Bloomberg that the Subaru Corporation is considering Autoliv Inc.’s stereo cameras for its next-generation EyeSight driver-assist system as the Japanese automaker looks for options beyond their current supplier, Hitachi Ltd.

This year, Subaru plans to upgrade EyeSight with the ability to autonomously follow a car on congested highways. Subaru has additional plans to upgrade their current-generation EyeSight in 2020, and while Subaru hasn’t confirmed this, it may be Autoliv who gets the nod using new advanced technology that gives their vehicles fully autonomous highway driving capabilities including the capability to change lanes.

There’s lots of changes coming for Subaru Corporation as the new-generation 2018 Subaru Crosstrek gets PHEV technology next year and all-electric power in 2021. Their core values of safety and all-wheel-drive will stay at the forefront regardless of the powertrain.

Photo credit: Subaru