Latest news with #DavidDelloStritto
Auto Car
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Subaru wants to bring the BRZ back to Europe – and it could do so as an EV
Subaru is considering a European return for the BRZ sports coupe in its third generation – and it could be electric. Bosses have told Autocar it is part of a wider debate in how to return to the European sports car segment in a bid to cater to the strong enthusiast customer base. The brand has not offered a performance car on the continent since the first-generation BRZ in 2020. While that car's second generation was launched in markets such as the US and Japan in 2024, only its Toyota GR86 twin came here – and strict European emissions and safety regulations meant it was only sold in limited numbers. But, Subaru's European boss David Dello Stritto said that the nameplate could return to Europe in the form of an EV. 'Our options are open,' he told Autocar. His comments were backed by the brand's global EV product boss Inoue Masahiko. Speaking to Autocar, he confirmed that an electric version of the BRZ 'was under consideration' and had also been heavily looked at in the past with its long-term partner Toyota. However, he added that the timing needed to be right: 'We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GT86, but the win-win relationship is more important, and for the moment we can't get the kind of benefits for both sides.' The Japanese brand has teased the idea of an electric sports coupé with the chunky, high-riding Subaru Sport Mobility concept of 2023. Subaru is currently on an all-out offensive in the family car market with a line-up that consists of the Crosstrek, Outback and Forester, as well as the new electric Uncharted, E-Outback, and updated Solterra. Stritto said for any sports-focussed models to come to Europe, these need to first perform – especially the Uncharted. 'We feel very positively about Subaru enthusiasts, but we need to see how Uncharted does first,' he said. Asked if the current BRZ could instead come to Europe with an electrified powertrain, Masahiko said it 'would be difficult' due to the car's packaging limitations, and that an electric version would be 'easier' to develop. From a business perspective, Stritto said that bringing '100 examples to Europe' of the current BRZ – following the limited-run GR86 – wouldn't make long term sense.
Auto Car
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
How Subaru plans to go electric
Word association time: what comes to mind when you think of Subaru? Easy: a blue and yellow Impreza flying sideways down a rally stage, somewhere around – or possibly just beyond – the limit. Here's something that doesn't come to mind, though: electric vehicles. With the heavy cost of electrification and an influx of cut-price Chinese manufacturers, these are difficult times for even the largest car makers operating in Europe. And for the smaller ones struggling for every sale they can get, it's enough to make you wonder: why go to the trouble? Subaru Europe boss David Dello Stritto understands why you might ask that. 'You could think: 'Okay, we're selling around 30,000 cars a year in Europe and we're doing around 700,000 in the US, so why bother?'' says the Scot. 'That would be a fair question.' Yes, Subaru is far more successful in markets where its utilitarian 4x4s are more in vogue and electrification is less of a hot topic – and its one-time great rallying rival, Mitsubishi, drastically scaled back its efforts in Europe years ago. But with all the commitment of Colin McRae on the ragged edge, Dello Stritto says: 'I'll tell you what, Subaru Corporation has said repeatedly they have no intention of leaving Europe. They want to stay in Europe.' He notes that Subaru couldn't shift its European sales to the saturated American market – which already accounts for around 75% of the brand's volume – and it's struggling in China against domestic firms. But, most importantly, there's pride at Subaru about being a global company. So Subaru wants and needs to be present in Europe – but that creates a challenge. While large manufacturers can now hedge their bets and spread their resources between developing electric and combustion lines, smaller ones such as Subaru can't. It's partly why its early EV efforts, the Solterra and forthcoming Trailseeker, have been co-developed with Toyota.
