According to people with knowledge of the plans cited by Automotive News, Toyota will start making the Subaru EV shortly after it begins manufacturing its own version of the three-row electric SUV, which is tentatively called the bZ5X.
The name of Subaru's three-row electric crossover and other details have not been announced, but the report is consistent with Subaru's May announcement that it plans to have four battery-powered crossovers in its lineup by 2026.
Toyota is retooling its 9-million-square-foot Georgetown assembly plant for the two EVs as part of a $461 million investment announced in 2021. The plant currently builds the Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus ES, as well as four- and six-cylinder engines.
Like the Toyota bZ5X, the Subaru version is expected to get its batteries from the plant Toyota is building in Liberty, North Carolina, which is expected to begin production in 2025.
Since final assembly and battery sourcing will take place in North America, both vehicles will likely qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Currently, neither the Toyota bZ4X nor the Subaru Solterra are eligible for the credit.
