Another electric SUV developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru is coming to the US, Europe and Japan. The new electric SUV will join the current bZ4X and Solterra in the Japanese automaker's global lineup.
Another Subaru and Toyota electric SUV will be released in 2026
Toyota and Subaru have worked together to launch the bZ4X and Solterra models in May 2022. The electric SUVs are based on the e-TNGA platform where each automaker includes its own unique name.
According to the new Nikkei report, Toyota and Subaru will launch another jointly developed electric SUV in 2026. The new electric SUV is expected to be sold in North America, Europe, and Japan as Japanese automakers look to gain global market share.
Subaru announced in May that it will partner with Toyota to launch three new electric SUVs by 2026. CEO Atsushi Osaki explained, “There is a big risk that we go it alone in this field. “
The report says production will begin in January 2026 at Subaru's Yajima plant in Japan. Subaru plans to increase production capacity by 15,000 to 20,000 per month.
The new electric SUV from Subaru and Toyota will retain some parts from the bZ4X and Solterra models to reduce costs.
Under its new plan, Subaru aims for 50% of its global sales (600,000) to be all-electric vehicles by 2030. The revision is a significant change from its previous target of 40% HEV and EV.
Meanwhile, Toyota is delaying plans to build a three-row electric SUV in Kentucky until the first half of 2026. Initial plans called for production to begin in 2025.
Electrek's Take
After being introduced two years ago in the US, electric cars from Toyota and Subaru have not been very profitable.
In the first nine months of 2024, Toyota sold 13,577 bZ4X models in the US. Subaru sold 9,137 Soltera models. Several American automakers have already delayed or canceled major EV projects, opening up opportunities for foreign companies to gain market share.
Ford is no longer planning to build a three-row electric SUV, which could help attract buyers to Toyota's next model. However, that shouldn't come out until 2026 (at the earliest).
Meanwhile, several automakers, such as Kia, are already stealing market share. Kia has sold nearly 16,000 EV9 models in the US through September, surpassing both the bZ4X and Solterra, and it will only be launched in December 2023.
Hyundai will launch its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9, later this year. It will be built in the US at its new Georgia EV facility.
Volvo is another brand launching a three-row electric SUV in the US this year as the EX90 comes out (See our review). Meanwhile, other brands like GM's Chevy and Honda are breaking EV sales records as new electric models enter the market.
Another Toyota and Subaru electric SUV might sound promising. However, it may be too little, too late.
FTC: We use auto affiliate links to earn income. More.
