Subaru Plans to Spend $1.2 Billion on R&D, Considers Electric Vehicles



Subaru Corp. is weighing on electric versions of its current models for the company's first venture into technology, as it looks into battery-powered vehicles in the face of tightening emissions rules. The Japanese automaker is planning to make record investments in research and development during this financial year. It is considering installing electric powertrains in existing models instead of producing an all-new vehicle, according to Chief Executive Officer Yasuyuki Yoshinaga.

The decision will provide Subaru the advantage of capitalizing on its reputation for safety while also removing the need to team up with another automaker, Yoshinaga said.

Subaru aims to spend more on electrification than other technologies as it quickly moves into plug-in a hybrid model to market in 2018 and an all-electric vehicle by 2021. The Japanese company is budgeting 134 billion yen ($1.2 billion) on research and development in the 12 months through March 2018.

Other big Japanese automakers have also stepped up efforts to produce electric vehicles. Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to spend 1.05 trillion yen on R&D while Honda Motor Co. is aiming to invest 750 billion yen.

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