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Toyota, Subaru Confirm Electric Platform, Electric SUV

Toyota and Subaru are joined at the hip in more than one way. First and foremost, take the BRZ and 86 as an example. There’s also the Crosstrek Hybrid and XV e-Boxer, both leveraging Prius technology in conjunction with the 2.0-liter boxer from the FB20 engine family.
Toyota, Subaru electric C-segment SUV 6 photos
Photo: Toyota, Subaru
Electric Toyota C-HR Unveiled in China, Looks FuturisticElectric Toyota C-HR Unveiled in China, Looks FuturisticElectric Toyota C-HR Unveiled in China, Looks FuturisticElectric Toyota C-HR Unveiled in China, Looks FuturisticElectric Toyota C-HR Unveiled in China, Looks Futuristic
Toyota and Subaru decided to take their collaboration one step further with the development of a BEV-dedicated platform for C- and D-segment passenger vehicles. As if that wasn’t enough, the two parties confirmed the development of a compact-sized SUV.

As expected, the e-crossover will be sold “under each company’s own brand.” Both Toyota and Subaru agree “the automotive industry is in the midst of a once-in-a-century period of profound transformation.” By that, the two automakers from Japan refer to the challenges of the 2020s, including the proliferation of hybrids, electrics, and fuel-cell vehicles to the detriment of internal combustion.

Other areas that pose many challenges to the industry include in-car connectivity, assisted and autonomous driving, as well as car-sharing services. Further still, the increasing demand for EVs puts a strain on the production output of batteries. To this effect, Toyota and Subaru hope to have as much control as possible of the supply chain.

Present issues also include the charging infrastructure’s state, which is lacking in many parts of the world. Tesla is at the top of the industry, boasting 1,533 stations with 13,444 superchargers. The Supercharger V3 also happens to be a game-changing solution to EV charging, supporting a peak rate of up to 250 kW per vehicle.

In the face of such adversities, “Toyota and Subaru believe that it is necessary to pursue a business model that goes beyond convention.” The two plan on “crossing over industrial boundaries together with various types of other entities that share their aspirations.”

Even though Toyota plans to bring an EV to Europe by 2021, chances are it’ll be the electric version of the C-HR that will roll out in China by year's end. Looking at the bigger picture, two years to develop a BEV-dedicated platform from scratch is too short even for the combined powers of Toyota and Subaru.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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