Toyota Will Now Share Hot New EV Tech With Subaru

Subaru Corporation could move from being last to being among the leading automakers in new all-electric vehicle technology. Subaru will have access to Toyota technology. Subaru will tap into Toyota's extensive resources for its new battery technology that will have 900 miles of range or more, according to a recent report from Automotive News (by subscription).

In a new report, Automotive News says, "Toyota's radical electric vehicle overhaul will deliver a plethora of knock-on benefits beyond the next-generation of Tesla-fighting Toyotas that start rolling off the line from 2026."

The report says all of Toyota's global operations will cash in on the EV shift, not just its nascent EV business. "Toyota may further plump volume and margins by sharing the new EV technologies with friends."

Toyota is at the helm of an alliance of carmakers interwoven by cross-shareholdings. Under its umbrella are Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, Daihatsu, and truck makers Hino and Isuzu.

When Toyota increased its stake in Subaru from 16.83 percent to 20 percent in February 2020, it changed Subaru's future. Subaru and Toyota believe this increased stake will help them build better automobiles for their customers. 

Subaru said, "In this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation (to EVS), 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."

Toyota is already spreading its new EV costs and volume with Subaru. The partners collaborated on the Toyota bZ4X, which is rebadged and sold as the Subaru Solterra compact EV. Next, Toyota says they will provide its hybrid drivetrains to a lineup of next-generation hybrids planned by Subaru, says the report. 

One of Subaru's distinct advantages will be its newly-developed EV batteries. Subaru said it would source the electric EV batteries for the new vehicles through its alliance with partner Toyota. But Subaru will build its new EVs themselves at its new EV factory and will not rely on Toyota to manufacture them like they do the Solterra EV.

Toyota's Chief Technology Officer Hiroko Nakajima wants to expand such mutual supply tie-ups. "If we become confident in our ideas," he said, "we would like to open the technologies if it will help others (Subaru) achieve carbon neutrality."

Subaru will not be left out in the competitive all-electric vehicle race. Subaru could advance to the head of the class in new EV technology thanks to its partnership with Toyota. Stay tuned. 

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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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