Renovation of Subaru’s Yajima Plant to enable mixed production of engine-powered vehicles and BEVs on the same line has been completed. From February 2026, production of the Trailseeker BEV and the Toyota bZ4X Touring will begin, with the Forester also scheduled to move to the same line in summer.
Equipment upgrades to enable Yajima Plant’s first mixed production of engine-powered vehicles and BEVs have been completed, and the plant has begun operating with its electric-vehicle and engine-vehicle lines integrated. The upgrades were carried out from August 2025 through January 2026, and production under the new configuration began in February 2026.
The new line includes a newly established battery production line and repurposes the former press building, allowing engine-powered vehicles and BEVs to be assembled on the same line. In addition to reducing costs, many aspects, including vehicle body standards and assembly processes, have reportedly been aligned with Toyota’s approach.
On the production line, the exhaust-system equipment for engine-powered vehicles and the charging inspection points for BEVs are arranged so that both can operate simultaneously. This allows for the work allocation and inspection processes specific to mixed production. The aim is to respond flexibly to fluctuations in demand.
From 2027 onward, Subaru plans to begin operations at a new plant in Ōizumimachi, Gunma Prefecture. Drawing on the knowledge gained at the Yajima Plant, it will advance the adoption of software updates and AI technologies, with the aim of establishing an efficient production system centered on digital technology.