Toyota and Subaru Will Build Two Electric SUVs on a Jointly Developed EV Platform

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06-11-19, 01:10 PM

#16

Toys4RJill

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Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

I'm still surprised at how cheap Toyota has become. First they claim a new inline 6 is too expensive, then get shaded by Mazda. Now an electric vehicle that requires partnering with another company. ?

Subaru is party owned by Toyota. So it makes sense that they would link with Subaru as more models and development spread out the costs. Toyota has had EVs in the past with their test RAV4 models. The Mirai is an EV after it converts hydrogen.

06-11-19, 01:36 PM

#17

Sulu

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Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

...Now an electric vehicle that requires partnering with another company. An EV is literally a hybrid with the gas engine lopped off but they can't go at it alone?

That is one way to look at it. The other is that Toyota is the big brother in this joint venture (putting in the the TNGA platform, for example). This joint venture includes, besides Subaru, the other small Japanese automakers, namely Daihatsu, Suzuki and Mazda. These automakers are small with very limited resources and would not be able to afford to develop EVs on their own without help from a big brother, like Toyota.

And no, an EV is not literally a hybrid with the gas engine tossed out. A hybrid is a traditional, internal combustion engine vehicle with a battery added in the trunk or under the rear seat. A modern EV has a much larger battery that will not fit in the trunk; the large battery has to sit under the floor and seats of the vehicle. To do so without affecting interior space requires a new platform / chassis / floorpan.