To achieve this target, Subaru will not only rely on an EV-only factory but also leverage mixed production lines of petrol and electric vehicles.
Atsushi Osaki, who will take over as CEO of Subaru in June, revealed that initially, half of the 400,000 EVs will be produced on mixed production lines, while the remaining half will come from the dedicated EV factory. Scheduled to open its doors in 2027, the all-electric car plant will be located in Japan's Gunma prefecture.
While Subaru currently offers only one all-electric model, the Solterra SUV, which is based on Toyota's eTNGA platform, the company plans to commence production of its own electric vehicles on the mixed production line by 2025. As for the BEV-only plant, the details of the models to be manufactured there are yet to be disclosed.
By diversifying its production system, Subaru aims to adapt flexibly to market trends and regulations. This strategic approach will enable the company to adjust the output ratio of battery EVs, hybrids, and gasoline cars, catering to the evolving demands of consumers and the automotive industry.
With a heavy reliance on sales of its Outback crossover in the North American market, Subaru sold a total of 852,000 vehicles worldwide in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. The United States accounted for a significant 70% of these sales. However, by establishing a production capacity of 400,000 BEVs, Subaru could cover a substantial portion of its sales volume with electric cars.
Source: Reuters
