Subaru ends plug-in hybrid development – report

suburban is said to have ended plug-in hybrid (PHEV) production, focusing its electrification efforts on battery-powered and hybrid vehicles using Toyota technology.

Nikkei Asia reports Subaru will discontinue PHEV production due to weak sales. The PHEV version of the Crosstrek (XV) — Subaru’s only plug-in — accounted for just one percent of Subaru’s total U.S. sales last year, or 2,600 units.

Subaru has never offered PHEVs in Australia, although it does sell hybrid versions of the forester and XV and will provide a new hybrid version of it diagonal line This year.

Also launching in 2023 is all-electric solterraa twin of Toyota bZ4x.

Subaru developed Solterra with Toyota, which has a 20% stake in the company. However, Nikkei Asia reports that Subaru is likely to develop its own battery-powered (EV) vehicles in the future.

It reports Subaru will use Toyota’s hybrid technology and launch new hybrid models around 2025.

The focus on electric vehicle technology will see Subaru invest US$1.8 billion (AU$2.6 billion) over the next five years.

The development includes an EV factory in Gunma, north of Tokyo, opening in 2027.

Subaru has announced that by 2030, 40% of its sales will come from hybrid or EV models.

PHEV sales in Australia have grown from 3372 units to 5937 units in 2022, but EVs have become more popular with Australians.

Last year, a total of 33,416 electric vehicles were sold in Australia.

Several companies have chosen not to bring down their latest generation PHEVs, including Kia with their latest version. Niro and Mercedes-Benz with its new GLC.

In contrast, Audi will once again offer the PHEV, this time its popular version. Q5when Mazda CX-60 will be the Japanese brand’s first PHEV.

Many brands have announced plans to phase out not only vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, but PHEVs as well. For example, Volvo will exclusively sell electric vehicles from 2026 in Australia and globally from 2030, by which time the likes of Bentley, Maserati and Mini will also have EV-only product lines.