Subaru is taking important strategic steps to adapt to the booming electric vehicle market. According to the latest information, the Japanese automaker is considering the possibility of developing a small electric car in the B segment, aimed directly at the urban market.
Subaru currently has only one electric vehicle, the Solterra, but from 2026, the company will add two new models to its electric vehicle portfolio: the Uncharted (a more compact model) and the Trailseeker (a larger, family-friendly model). If both models are well received, Subaru may continue to develop an electric vehicle smaller than the Uncharted, aimed at the B-segment.
Platform and potential for Subaru small electric car
In the European market, where demand for small electric vehicles is growing rapidly, Mr. David Dello Stritto, Director of Subaru region, commented that a new wave of urban electric vehicles is about to be launched.
Models like the Renault 5 E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.2, Cupra Raval, MG 2 and Dacia Sandero EV are expected to lead the way, while smaller A-segment EVs like the Renault Twingo EV, the budget Dacia EV and a new Honda mini EV are all aimed at tapping into the demand for compact, economical EVs in the European market.
However, Subaru needs time to evaluate. Dello Stritto said the company needs about 2 years to evaluate the market performance of Uncharted before deciding to expand the segment.
Subaru’s current electric vehicles are based on a common technology platform with Toyota, its strategic partner. If Subaru decides to develop a B-segment electric vehicle, it will likely share technology with the electric Toyota Yaris, which is rumored to be in development.
However, Toyota Europe’s head of marketing and product development, Andrea Carlucci, said Toyota is currently focusing on larger electric vehicle segments and has not prioritized developing small cars. This may affect Subaru’s progress in launching a B-segment electric vehicle, but the use of a common platform is still a big advantage in reducing development costs.
In terms of naming, Subaru can also take advantage of familiar names to position the product. The Trailseeker model is expected to be called the E-Outback in Europe, so this B-segment model will most likely be called Justy or E-Justy , names that are very familiar to Subaru users in the US.
However, the chances of Subaru’s B-segment EV coming to the US are slim. The market is almost empty of small EVs after the Chevy Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, and BMW i3 stopped selling. Even B-segment gasoline cars are disappearing. Bringing small EVs to the US would not be economically viable without special incentives similar to those offered by Japan’s kei cars.
Speaking to Autocar, Inoue Masahiko, Subaru’s global head of electric vehicles, said the company is working to build a more diverse electric vehicle portfolio to meet customer needs. The consideration of developing a B-segment electric vehicle shows that Subaru wants to compete not only in the family electric car segment but also in crowded urban areas, where compact and energy-efficient cars are increasingly popular.
Although this plan still depends on many factors, Subaru is showing its determination to catch up with the global electric vehicle trend.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/subaru-mo-rong-xe-dien-do-thi-tuong-lai-xe-dien-co-nho-10303353.html
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