Toyota Motor Corporation and Subaru Corporation disclosed today that they have agreed to jointly develop a platform dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The companies have also agreed to develop the platform for midsize and large passenger vehicles, and to jointly develop a C-segment-class BEV SUV model for sale under each company’s own brand.
Toyota states that the automotive industry is in the midst of a once-in-a-century period of profound transformation. Starting with responses to the new CASE domains of car connectivity, autonomous or assisted driving, new mobility or car-sharing, and electrified power trains and components. Both Subaru and Toyota say that they are required to conduct technological development with a sense of speed across a broader-than-ever spectrum of initiatives.
Building on their collaborative ties thus far deepened, the agreement announced represents a new area of collaboration that especially focuses on the urgent need to respond to CASE’s “E” domain, or electrified powertrains and components.
The commercialisation of BEVs requires the use of large-capacity batteries, and, along with the popularisation of BEVs, demands of a new dimension will be placed on battery supply.
In addition, stemming from differences in how cars will be used due to maximum cruising ranges and the state of infrastructure construction, sales methods with a new approach will also be needed.
To respond with a sense of speed to the diversifying needs of these markets and to multiple challenges, both Subaru and Toyota believe that it is necessary to pursue a business model that goes beyond convention, crossing over industrial boundaries together with various types of other entities that share their aspirations.
The two companies will jointly develop a BEV-dedicated platform. The platform will be developed in a way that will make it broadly applicable to multiple vehicle types, including C-segment-class and D-segment-class sedans and SUVs, as well as to efficient development of derivative vehicle models.
