12:43 - 5.03.2019

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March 5, Fineko/abc.az. Japanese automakers Toyota and Subaru have started developing jointly a new electric car they expect to bring to market in 2021.

News agency Kyodo reports that currently two companies’ engineers are already working over the project.

Initially, Subaru expected to create an electric car independently, but due to the high cost of the project, it made a decision to freeze it in favor of cooperation with Toyota in this area. Jointly developed cars will be sold under both brands, as it was in case with the compact sports car twins Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, which appeared in 2011.

For a long time Toyota has paid great attention to development of hybrid engine technology, taking a leading position in the global market on sales of vehicles equipped with them. However, amid the general interest to electric vehicles, the corporation considered it necessary to strengthen its position in this promising segment.

Earlier, Toyota announced its intention to stop the production of cars with gasoline or diesel engines by 2025, leaving only hybrids, electric cars and cars running on hydrogen in its model line. In addition, Toyota has entered into a contract with two other Japanese companies - Suzuki and Mazda - for the joint production of electric vehicles.