Toyota, Subaru to jointly develop all-electric crossover

The new EV-dedicated platform will be suitable for midsize and large passenger vehicles.

Toyota and Subaru have announced plans to jointly develop a new platform dedicated to pure battery-powered electric vehicles.

The architecture will be suitable for midsize and large passenger vehicles. It will initially be used for a C-segment SUV that will sell under each company's own brand.

"By combining their respective strengths, such as the all-wheel-drive technologies that Subaru has cultivated over many years and the vehicle electrification technologies that Toyota is employing to bring together other companies that share its aspirations, the two companies intend to take up the challenge of creating attractive products with appeal that only BEVs can offer," the companies wrote in a joint press release.

The automakers view the collaboration as the best way to tackle market challenges surrounding electric vehicles, including development costs, battery supplies, and quick development.

"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," the press release adds.

Toyota and Subaru have collaborated on vehicle development since 2005, leading to the Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.