Toyota and Subaru are Japanese automotive companies. These two companies started a partnership in 2005. Toyota is famously known for being the current world leader. Although Toyota is an automotive giant, why did it partner with a relatively small company? We will discuss the timeline of the relationship between Toyota and Subaru further in this article.
The partnership between the two Japanese automakers is getting more serious as it enters a new phase. The electric vehicle stage will make this bond even stronger. Both the companies are looking forward to working together in the future for electric vehicles and to maintain a sustainable future. This partnership started with the making of a sports car. The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ is one examples. These are the two different names of one car produced under the partnership of Toyota and Subaru. With the same intention, these two companies are entering the electric segment of vehicles. Let’s jump a bit deeper into this collaborative deal.
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Timeline Of The Toyota-Subaru Partnership
In 2005, Toyota and Subaru joined hands together to be a team. Toyota bought an 8.7 percent stake in Fuji Heavy industries. Fuji Heavy Industries is the parent company of Subaru. Further, in 2007, Subaru started building Toyota’s Camry. Subaru built the Camry in the plant of Lafayette, Indiana. Subaru kept on making Camry at the Indiana plant till 2016. The following year, Toyota raised its ownership in Subaru to 16.5 percent.
Then in 2012, Toyota and Subaru jointly made a new sports car. Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 was born in this collaboration. Subaru manufactured the car with all the technical handling, while Toyota overlooked the designing part. This car was a huge hit in the market, and they are even producing a new generation. If we move forward, in 2017, Subaru stepped into a Toyota project to develop electric vehicle technology to build platforms and batteries.
In 2018, Subaru came up with a 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid. This vehicle uses a Toyota plug-in hybrid system. The following year, Toyota increased its stake by 20 percent. In 2021, Toyota introduced the second generation of the 86 in collaboration with Subaru BRZ. The next year, in 2022, Toyota and Subaru started working on the electric vehicle project. Subaru is handling the all-wheel-drive system and the development of the chassis. On the other hand, Toyota is looking after the battery and engine of this car.
More About Subaru Motors
Subaru is a Japanese automaker founded in 1953 by Kenji Kita and Chikuhei Nakajima. Its main focus is on producing all-wheel drive cars which can ride on any driving terrain and provide comfort. Subaru is manufacturing affordable sports cars to reach the masses. They have collaborated with Toyota to produce one of the finest Subaru race cars, the Subaru BRZ.
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The partnership of both automakers grew stronger after each year. Now, both the companies are entering into EV market together to launch a joint electric vehicle.
