It’s been two years since it announced the debut of its first electric vehicle, called the Subaru Solterra. In the first model year, Solterra’s production issues and limited availability are plaguing Subaru’s entry into the EV market. Only a few dozen new Solterra 2023 models made it to customers in 2022. And those that did make it late.
How many Solterras has Subaru delivered?
While demand for EVs has increased dramatically in recent years, the production 2023 Subaru Solterra has yet to take full advantage of the opportunity. According to a report by Torque News, Subaru has delivered very few Solterra models. Only 94 have received orders by the end of November 2022, months after the expected June delivery timeline.
(Toyota’s new electric vehicle built on the same platform as Subaru’s Solterra). Torque News reports that it took until October 2022 to find a solution and allow production to continue. Reports indicate that Subaru planned to produce 6,500 Solterra models in 2022. That’s a fraction of the production volumes seen for other Subaru SUVs.
Subaru has already filled its new 2023 Solterra lot
You’re out of luck if you’re looking to get a piece of the 2023 Subaru Solterra pie. According to , Subaru fulfilled its allotted retail orders for the 2023 model year after hitting the Solterra’s production quota.
Customers placing new orders will likely have to settle for the 2024 Subaru Solterra and its potential price increase.
Subaru isn’t the only OEM dealing with production and delivery issues. Competitor Ford recently experienced a delay in production of its 2023 Escape PHEV. As a result, Ford closed its banks by the end of January.
Subaru’s first EV is late to the game
EVs are going mainstream, with manufacturers pumping out model offerings and production numbers across the board. But while competitors like Nissan and Chevrolet have been making EVs in large numbers for years, Subaru has only just started delivering its first models after Solterra’s production woes.
Subaru introduced the Solterra SUV in 2021 as part of its EV development partnership with Toyota. The two automakers have already worked on shared platforms with models such as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. This time, the couple aimed to earn real estate in an increasingly competitive EV market.
The 2023 Solterra fits neatly into Subaru’s SUV lineup with the brand’s signature mix of standard all-wheel drive, rugged styling and high ground clearance. According to Subaru, it starts at $44,995 and boasts an estimated 94/14 MPGe efficiency rating.
We have yet to see how the Subaru Solterra will stand up to tough competition in the EV market over the long term. Meanwhile, drivers can expect Subaru to begin production of the Solterra in 2024.
