by Subaru has joined the list of automakers significantly scaling back their electric vehicle plans. Chairman Atsushi Osaki announced the reduction in investments in this area at an investor conference—and these changes are directly linked to the new economic course of the United States.
Subaru’s previous strategy was formed under the pressure of the ‘green’ course of the previous US administration. The American market is key for the brand, so the company was forced to actively promote the electric vehicle direction. The plan envisaged investments of 1.5 trillion yen and the launch of four new electric models by 2028, with prospects for development until 2031.
After the change of power in the US, the priorities became the opposite: instead of stimulating electric vehicles—protecting domestic manufacturers. The pressure on automakers disappeared, incentives for EV buyers were canceled, and import duties on finished cars from most countries were increased. For Subaru, this means additional costs of 210 billion yen—too large an amount to ignore.
The company decided to compensate for these losses by cutting the investment program for electric vehicles. The development of its own EVs is being curtailed: instead, Subaru will bet on rebranded models from its partner—Toyota Motor. In fact, future Subaru electric cars will become technical ‘doubles’ of Toyota’s electric models.
