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Japanese automotive manufacturers, Toyota and Subaru, are collaborating on a second generation of their shared rear-wheel drive sporty coupe and aim to work more closely on other projects.
This will be conducted under a new accord which will raise Toyota’s stake in the smaller Japanese automaker to 20 per cent and Subaru will also have a small token stake in Toyota.
Toyota already owns a 17 per cent share of Subaru, while the smaller partner currently has no stake in Toyota.
Both companies, which had formed an alliance since 2005, will be working together on a wide range of next-generation technologies, including safety and electrification systems.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda believes that by teaming up on technologies such as sports cars and all-wheel-drive vehicles, it will help both parties keep their cars fun and up to date to drive during the electronic era.
Toyota is planning to expand its supply of hybrid drivetrain systems to a wider range of Subaru vehicles. It currently supplies the drivetrain for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.
The companies will also expand their development of all-wheel-drive technologies, leaning on Subaru’s expertise in that field.
Another project they are working on together is the development of a next generation of their rebadged sporty small car, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ.
This recent expansion will also include the joint development of an electric-vehicle platform and an upcoming all-electric crossover.
Toyota is the larger manufacturer, with 10.6 million cars and trucks produced in 2018. Meanwhile, Subaru, which produces the Outback and Forester crossovers, made one million vehicles last year. Subaru is known for its horizontally placed boxer engines, EyeSight autonomous driver assist and all-wheel-drive technologies.
In recent years, Subaru has been marketing its cars as lifestyle products.
This new accord cements Subaru’s place in Toyota’s expanding group of Japanese partners, which include Mazda Motor Corp and Yamaha Motor Co.
Toyota seems to be keen on investing in smaller, domestic automakers.
