Peter Lyon
February 4, 2026
Subaru Corporation has begun the in-house production of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), including the all-new E-Outback, at its Gunma Yajima Plant. This milestone follows the completion of a programme of production facility upgrades, which began in August 2025.
The production facility upgrades were focused on establishing a new mixed-model production line, enabling the manufacture of BEVs such as E-Outback alongside petrol and hybrid vehicles on a single line. The newly upgraded facility will enable Subaru to build on its long-cultivated mixed-production expertise as it moves into an age of electrification.
The all-new Subaru E-Outback, produced on this line, is the second model in Subaru’s global BEV line-up, jointly developed with Toyota Motor Corporation. Following its inception in 2005, the alliance between the two companies marked its 20th anniversary in 2025, with collaboration strengthened over the years across a wide range of areas, including development, production, and supply chains.
The latest manufacturing developments have been achieved through deeper cooperation between the two companies in the area of electrification, alongside advancements in Subaru’s monozukuri (manufacturing) capabilities.
Subaru will continue pursuing greater flexibility in manufacturing techniques to achieve highly efficient production and development, enhancing responsiveness to changes in market demand and further strengthening the company’s competitiveness.
The Subaru E-Outback is set to arrive on UK shores in Summer 2026. More details on this new model will be announced closer to launch.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
If the truth be known, Subaru was late to the world of EVs, having only launched its first production EV — the Solterra — in 2022. This electric SUV was co-developed with Toyota and launched at the same time as the Toyota BZ4X. Unfortunately, both models suffered a faulty separating wheel hub issue only a few months after release and had to be recalled. The fault took around 6 months to fix. The brand itself has been making cars since 1954, with the vast majority of its lineup (barring only the rear-wheel-drive BRZ) being very capable multi-terrain AWD vehicles with boxer engines like the Outback, Legacy, Impreza and Crosstrek.
