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Subaru Corporation officially joined the Toyota Motor group according to a filing made in Japan today. Toyota increased its stake in Subaru Corporation from 16.83 percent to 20 percent which means a strengthening of their ties. The announcement was made last September, and a report from Nippon in Japan revealed it is now official.
What will the expanded partnership mean for Subaru models like the 2020 Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and Ascent?
This is what won’t happen. Subaru will not be absorbed into Toyota Motor and become a fully owned subsidiary at least not in the immediate future. But Seeking Alpa says Subaru is expected to become “an affiliated company of Toyota down the road.” They won’t be building more vehicles together that will share identical styling but have different nameplates like the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 sport coupes. But big changes are coming to Subaru.
Existing Subaru models like 2020 Outback will be getting hybrid power
What it will mean is Toyota’s larger stake will create new opportunities for the much smaller Subaru with its existing models and new models will be coming. Subaru announced recently, by 2030, 40 percent of all Subaru global sales will come from electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). By the first half of the 2030s, all Subaru vehicles sold worldwide will have some form of hybrid power or all-electric technology. Subaru will need Toyota’s hybrid technology to do this.
What does the increased Toyota stake mean for SUV shoppers?
The newly-increased partnership will bring more new all-wheel-drive models like the Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid launched last year. Subaru will be able to expand the use of the Toyota Hybrid System in other Subaru models like the Outback, Forester, and Ascent models.
The Subaru Forester will keep its unique identity
Both Subaru and Toyota believe this increased stake will help them build better automobiles for their customers. Subaru says, "In this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation, by strengthening our bonds and aligning capabilities, we aim to make ever-better cars, better than what either company has been able to achieve thus far.”
More changes are coming as Subaru will also collaborate with Toyota to develop its first all-electric all-wheel-drive vehicle for release sometime around 2030. This all-new vehicle will be distinctively a Subaru.
Watch this video report discussing the benefits of keeping your old Subaru Outback vs buying the 2020 model and click to subscribe to Torque News for daily automotive news analysis.
Subaru models will be different from Toyota
Subaru President Tomomi Nakamura says they will strive to remain “different from (Toyota)”, and will further hone the distinctive qualities that make a Subaru a Subaru and will “maintain the unique attributes our customers have come to expect.” Those core values are all-wheel-drive, a rugged “go-anywhere” attitude, fun-to-drive, and safety will remain a priority.
Some things won’t be changing for Subaru, but the expanded Toyota partnership will bring an all-electric all-wheel vehicle that will arrive by the end of this decade. Big changes are coming to existing nameplates like the 2020 Outback wagon, Forester compact SUV, and Ascent family hauler models. They will be electrified with hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology by the first half of the 2030s.
You Might Also Like: The New 2021 Subaru Complete Model Change Preview
Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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Comments
Headline is misleading. Who
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Headline is misleading. Who wrote this piece some vape smoking millennial?? Toyota has owned part of Subaru awhile. Even says so in the article.
If you actually click on the
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In reply to Headline is misleading. Who by gravygrabber (not verified)
If you actually click on the link to the author of this article, it’s pretty clear he’s a boomer like you. Don’t blame millennials for your own problems.
Subaru could use Toyota's
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Subaru could use Toyota's help with electronics. Eyesight is okay, but their in-dash units are terrible.
I agree. Too much lag
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In reply to Subaru could use Toyota's by Jim (not verified)
I agree. Too much lag
Bad idea. Toyota still hasn't
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In reply to Subaru could use Toyota's by Jim (not verified)
Bad idea. Toyota still hasn't figured out in 2020 why several of their models have unintended acceleration. It happened to me and I know from my experience that it had something to do with the electronics and not the car mat or driver error.
Hopefully Toyota will fix
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Hopefully Toyota will fix Subaru cv axle issues
That would be awsome!! Subaru
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In reply to Hopefully Toyota will fix by Brandon (not verified)
That would be awsome!! Subaru’s CV axels are crap!
Well this is unfortunate!
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Well this is unfortunate! Having been a Toyota owner in the past I've vowed to Never purchase another one. A new Subaru has been on my wishlist ~ something I've been working towards. I will have to rethink this now. Recall after recall got old with the Toyota I don't want to have to go through it again with any vehicle...
Just sold my 2019 Corolla SE
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In reply to Well this is unfortunate! by Janice Dillon (not verified)
Just sold my 2019 Corolla SE with 10k at huge devaluation due to major recalls with no remedy available for either (both potential for loss of life incidents) Toyota Motors response to my concerns left me feeling devalued as well. I will abandon the brand indefinitely.
My sentiments exactly! My
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In reply to Well this is unfortunate! by Janice Dillon (not verified)
My sentiments exactly! My first and last Toyota purchase was nothing but recalls and then a sudden acceleration. I too had a Subaru on my list but not after reading this article. I can't stand it when I see those Toyota commercials. Sorry to hear that Subaru quality will probably go downhill now.
I've been a loyal Toyota
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In reply to Well this is unfortunate! by Janice Dillon (not verified)
I've been a loyal Toyota owner for 15+ years. My 2005 Tacoma has been problem-free for those 15 years! Toyota has been a reliable brand for a long time. You can't tear down an automaker for isolated problems, which will happen with all automakers!
Well good for you, you got
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In reply to I've been a loyal Toyota by Manuel Reyes (not verified)
Well good for you, you got lucky. Not all Toyotas are quality made. It wasn't just the fact that my Sienna was crap, it was the way Toyota didn't stand behind their product and admit it was unsafe and were actually going to auction it off only to have it bought off used car lot by another uninformed buyer. Somebody else in the comments stated correctly they felt devalued by Toyota which is exactly why I would never buy anything Toyota attaches their name to.
And by the way Manuel Reyes,
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In reply to I've been a loyal Toyota by Manuel Reyes (not verified)
And by the way Manuel Reyes, the recalls and sudden acceleration with my Sienna were not isolated problems. Toyota is still in litigation for the many lives lost and injuries from their unsafe cars. Over 500 cases settled with non disclosures and NHTSA remains silent through it all. So go ahead, buy a newer Toyota when their vehicles are still even with 2019 models having problems. Cross your fingers and hope you don't get one of those 'isolated problems'.
Kinda funny after having two
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In reply to Well this is unfortunate! by Janice Dillon (not verified)
Kinda funny after having two Subaru’s vowed never to get one again. Only owned my Toyota since September so I can’t speak to it’s problems yet and doesn’t have the feel that my subie did but not shelling out thousands over and over again is enough for me to be happy.
Buy an older Subaru
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In reply to Well this is unfortunate! by Janice Dillon (not verified)
Buy an older Subaru
If Subaru could ONLY GET RID
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If Subaru could ONLY GET RID OF THAT HORID GARBAGE TRASH.... CVT !!!!! Completely disregard it completely !!!!!
I LOVE the Subaru CVT. Like a
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In reply to If Subaru could ONLY GET RID by Brian (not verified)
I LOVE the Subaru CVT. Like a magic carpet
Yeah, me too, on my 2016
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In reply to I LOVE the Subaru CVT. Like a by Andrew (not verified)
Yeah, me too, on my 2016 legacy 4 cyl.
I like toyotas D4S in which
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I like toyotas D4S in which it is direct and port fuel injection. it is used in subaru/scion( toyota) brz /FR-S. I can get 36mpgs if i hypermile it.
I could careless about
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I could careless about electric vehicles. I want the Subaru diesel to come to the US market. This partnership doesn't seem like it will get any closer to that dream.
I could careless about
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I could careless about electric vehicles. I want the Subaru diesel to come to the US market. This partnership doesn't seem like it will get any closer to that dream.
This is just another play to
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This is just another play to reduce varity. This is just a bunch of B S ! Soon they will all look the same. I've read this crap before. When Toyota and GM merged soon they looked the same. When GM and land rover merged poof it's amazing how they didnt keep the uniqueness in design or looks. And then we have the example of huge corporations not being able to respond in a positive manner to a screw up in design. Tske for example pontiac was unique and a good brand for ever. Good looks good durability. Fun to drive. Then came the final f@@k up the Aztec. That had to have been corps goal make something ugly and kill the brand. Same with olds. Good stuff but corps heavy hand killed that with treating it like a red headed step child. What's next Buick? Caddy? Chevy? Gmc? Not to many left to kill off. We dont want to be driving a car that looks like everybody elses car. What I dont understsnd is what part of this do you not understand? GM Toyota? Or land rover? And now subaru. I think that merger is a fail in judgement! And history backs me up! Hows this for a novel idea, when sales fall off due to a bad build. Instead of merging or killing it off like pontick was. Maybe if the buying public was asked what do you think our new car should look like? Oh by the way the 67 GTO is still an excellent car it's got uniuqnes curves muscle and it didnt look like a buick apollo that borrowed the nova and changed the grill. Another screw up. But and another good example of done right the trans am up to about 1979 then it became crap. But corporate got involved and shared platforms to try to save $$$ but in the end it cost them. And then Plymouth was decent but dodge decided to share platforms and change the grill and tail lights and soon Plymouth was killed off. Anybody seeing a pattern here? Before long subaru and toys will be sharing platforms and before long Subaru will be killed off. Maybe the board if directors at subaru got hit with the Corona virus? And ain't thinking right
That quote by "Seeking Alpa"
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That quote by "Seeking Alpa" maybe you mean Seeking *Alpha*
There goes reasonable pricing
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There goes reasonable pricing. Subarus will be as expensive as Toyotas. My wife is on her 4th Subaru. This last one (2014 Forester) has had a few mechanical issues. Replaced lower control arm and a/c compressor. Probably still go with another Subaru when the time comes.
You asked the question about
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You asked the question about what this meant for the consumer, but never mentioned the effect it will have on OUR costs to purchase. Subies have had fair prices for what you get and compared to Toyota there is a substantial difference. I am not keen on Toyota, hence the reason i bought a Subie to start with.
I think this means we will
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I think this means we will finally have a reliable subaru.
I hope Subaru gets access to
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I hope Subaru gets access to Toyota's transmission tech as well. I love Subaru, but since they started using CVT sources from God knows where, they are terrible. My current car is on its second one. I've been driving Subaru's since 1995 driving mostly Manuals until recently. It's a shame they are letting them go.
Subaru makes the safest cars
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Subaru makes the safest cars on the road. Ultra reliable (unless you mod and beat the crap out of a turbo one), just follow routine maintenance. The problems Subaru has been having lately are growing pains. Production went up fast so quality went down. They have addressed this and are putting lots of money into quality to correct the problem.
You are exactly right on the
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In reply to Subaru makes the safest cars by Long time suby owner (not verified)
You are exactly right on the growing pains causing problems. The issue now is that those growing pains weakened Subaru's customer pool a bit, then Toyota came in and said we need their decent tech. If this continues Toyota being the bigger company and run by idiots is going to kill off Subaru. Subaru wants to make EV and hybrid cars which is nice, but for some reason they think they need Toyota to do it. WRONG. Subaru could develop that technology just fine on their own. Their sales have shot up at an exponential rate over the last 1 or 2 decades, they could easily afford to make their own EV and hybrid tech. So whoever is at the top of Subaru and decided this merge was good needs fired immediately, before Toyota manages to ruin Subaru.
I have a 2002 outback best
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In reply to You are exactly right on the by SiriusBlack (not verified)
I have a 2002 outback best car ever owned it only needs normal rare and tear tires oil normal things it has its on its second time around I wouldn’t trade it for anything my wife and do door dash every day so I use it a lot it is the L L Bean version and every button dial works what a great job the company did making this car