Subaru's plan to ditch Toyota takes shape

Subaru is preparing to break away from Toyota and control its own electric car destiny.. The Japanese brand has so far co-developed a range of EVs, including the Solterra, Trailseeker and Uncharted SUVs currently on sale in Australia, with the world's biggest carmaker.. But it has always had ambitions to develop its own EVs, and that day is fast approaching, according to reports in AutoNews..

Subaru has shown an electric car prototype to Japanese media, with several technologies showcased.. The prototype wore the shell of an old-gen Subaru Outback, but what was underneath was quite different.. It had two electric motors enabling all-wheel drive grip, pumping out 380kW and delivering a 0-100km/h time of less than four seconds..

The vehicle is also capable of over-the-air software updates, which are commonplace in Chinese electric vehicles and allow the car to be improved as time goes on.. A Panasonic battery powers the prototype, and it is 25 per cent lighter than the previous battery and the company is targeting a 20 per cent increase in energy density.. Subaru said it had developed these technologies in half the time it usually does, which would help it keep pace with the rapid development of EVs from China..

Other carmakers such as Nissan are embracing what is termed "China Speed" to help shorten new car development times.. Subaru executives didn't provide any firm dates on when the EV would enter production, but 2029 would be the earliest.. Subaru is developing a whole new electric vehicle platform to underpin its next-generation of zero-emissions vehicles..

Inchcape has long had the contract to distribute Subarus in Australia, but the company's global boss was not happy with the company's performance Down Under.. In a recent quarterly earnings announcement Inchcape Group Chief Executive Duncan Tait took aim at Subaru's lack of competitiveness.. "Australia remains a challenge - our key brand (Subaru) has underperformed, with deteriorating competitiveness in a rapidly-evolving market," he said..

Subaru has taken too long to deliver hybrid versions of its key vehicles, its electric car range is not selling as well as its Toyota siblings and it can't compete with Chinese examples on price or performance.. News that a new in-house developed EV is still years away won't be welcome news..