Subaru has officially begun in-house production of its next-generation battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including the all-new Subaru E-Outback, at its Gunma Yajima Plant in Japan.
This milestone comes after a significant programme of factory upgrades that kicked off in August 2025. The goal was clear: prepare Subaru’s manufacturing operations for a future where electric, petrol, and hybrid vehicles coexist — not in separate facilities, but on a single, highly flexible production line.
Rather than creating a dedicated EV-only factory, Subaru has introduced a mixed-model production line. This allows BEVs like the E-Outback to be built alongside traditional internal combustion and hybrid vehicles. It’s a strategy that plays directly to Subaru’s long-standing strength in mixed production systems, now adapted for the age of electrification.
This approach gives Subaru greater agility. As market demand shifts between powertrains, production can respond quickly without major disruptions — a crucial advantage as global EV adoption continues to evolve at different speeds across regions.
The E-Outback is the second model in Subaru’s global BEV lineup and has been developed jointly with Toyota. The partnership between the two automakers began in 2005 and marked its 20th anniversary in 2025 — a collaboration that has grown deeper and more strategic over time.
From vehicle development to production methods and supply chains, the two companies have steadily expanded their cooperation. The latest manufacturing upgrades are the result of closer alignment in electrification technologies, combined with Subaru’s renowned monozukuri philosophy — a focus on craftsmanship, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Subaru says it will continue refining its manufacturing techniques to achieve higher efficiency and flexibility. The aim is not just to build electric vehicles, but to do so in a way that keeps development costs under control, improves responsiveness to customer demand, and strengthens the company’s long-term competitiveness.
The Subaru E-Outback electric SUV is scheduled to arrive in the UK and Europe in summer 2026, with full specifications, pricing, and range details expected to be announced closer to launch.
