Subaru’s new president has unveiled a mid-term business plan which calls for the company to introduce a handful of new models by 2025.
Dubbed STEP – for Speed, Trust, Engagement and Peace of mind and enjoyment – the plan aims to improve the company’s image following its admission that employees improperly altered fuel economy and emissions data for at least five years. As part of this effort, Subaru will implement a series of “corporate culture reforms” to ensure the automaker becomes a “company that does the right thing, in the right way.”
Subaru will also conduct a series of quality enhancement initiatives which aim to give owners peace of mind. In order to achieve this, Subaru will review all processes, from product planning to production, to ensure quality. The company will also spend up to ¥150 ($1.3) billion, over 5 years, to improve quality.
Speaking of peace of mind, Subaru will ramp up its safety efforts to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. In order to prevent Subaru-related fatalities, the company will continue to enhance driver assist technologies such as Eyesight and further improve the crash safety ratings of its vehicles.
On the product front, the STEP plans calls on the company to launch redesigned versions of key models every year. Subaru was coy on specifics but hinted its “Dynamic x Solid” design philosophy will become bolder in the future.
Besides the redesigned models, Subaru will launch a “global strategic SUV” around 2024. The company also has plans to launch a global electric vehicle around 2022 and a hybrid electric vehicle around 2023.
The company will play more attention to sporty models in the future and Auto News Europe reports there will be an “STI tuner line” of products. The presentation also mentions “efforts to make ’emotion-evoking’ cars” such as the jointly-developed Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ.
Subaru will offer a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system which will enable vehicles to drive themselves – under certain conditions – on the highway. The system is slated to arrive in 2020 and it will be followed by Level 4 system in 2024.
The new models will be more eco-friendly than their predecessors as company says we can expect fuel economy improvements and a reduction in CO2 emissions. As part of this effort, Subaru will introduce a “downsized turbo engine” around 2021. Subaru will also work with Toyota to jointly develop the “basic structural technologies for electric vehicles.”
Thanks to these efforts, Subaru expects to increase sales in all major markets and sell 1.3 million vehicles in 2025. The company also wants to achieve “industry-leading profitability.”