Subaru Says The New Solterra EV Will Determine Its Electrification Plans
The all-new 2023 Subaru Solterra arrives mid-2022, and it will be the automaker's most important new vehicle launch ever. As the automotive industry moves away from the internal combustion engine and toward electric models, Subaru is waiting to see how customers respond to its first-ever all-electric SUV and determine its electrification plans.
In a new report from Automotive News, Subaru Corporation CEO Tomomi Nakamura says the target of 40 percent electrified vehicles by mid-2025 to 2030 was made two years ago. They will now rethink their electrification goals.
Nakamura says, "So we know that we have to shift or accelerate this plan. Based on how the market receives the new Solterra EV, we can plan for what kind of ratios (50-60 percent) we should target for EVs and hybrids."
The 2023 Subaru Solterra will launch in California and then be available in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington State, and Washington DC, Vermont, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Colorado.
The Solterra's initial availability will be limited to U.S. states that have adopted California's ZEV Emissions program. This will give Subaru of America a good idea of how its first all-electric compact SUV is accepted by its loyal customers.
Nakamura went on to say, "We are trying to focus on what customers want and what benefit they need from an EV, and we want to follow our customers' needs."
Will Subaru accelerate its EV plans?
Nakamura says, "Of course, the EV era will eventually come. And at that point, it will require investment for developing our own EVs. But we want to know when the market will be mature for EVs. We want to be a smart follower in this area and not really on the front line."
Will Subaru build more new EVs with Toyota?
The Solterra EV is a joint project with Toyota, but that doesn't mean Subaru will build new EVs with the Japanese automaker. Nakamura says, "As EVs become more mainstream, Subaru will stop being a collaborator and be more of a competitor with Toyota."
The new 2023 Subaru Solterra is the most important new vehicle launch in the Japanese automaker's history. The new all-electric compact SUV's success will determine how fast or slow Subaru moves to a fully electric lineup.
Let Subaru know in the comments below what you think of the 2022 Solterra EV SUV and your needs and wants for your next all-electric vehicle.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA