The trend toward producing electric vehicles is creating more collaboration among competitors. Toyota and Subaru will jointly develop a platform specifically for electric vehicles. It will underpin midsize and large passenger vehicles.  The two Japanese companies will also make a new small electric SUV, which they plan to sell under each company's own brand.  This new platform will not just be for SUVs.  They plan to make it versatile so it can be used in a variety of vehicles including sedans.

This collaboration brings together the strengths of the two automakers.  Subaru contributes their all-wheel-drive expertise.  Toyota delivers the electrification knowledge.  The two companies agreed to work together in 2005.  Other joint projects include the rear-wheel-drive Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ in 2012, and the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.  Toyota says they continue to look for partners as they expand their electric line-up.