Overview
- Subaru Australia’s Scott Lawrence said there have been discussions of a ute and described the idea as “never a no,” confirming active internal talks.
- The company has not approved the project for production, with decisions still pending at Subaru Corporation.
- Reporting points to a unibody pickup on the Subaru Global Platform with AWD and existing gasoline or hybrid powertrains to contain development costs.
- Market calculations reflect the Ford Maverick’s 155,051 U.S. sales last year as Hyundai winds down the Santa Cruz, leaving limited direct rivals.
- U.S. viability would depend on sidestepping the 25% truck tariff through local assembly and on whether any Toyota collaboration advances as Toyota’s North American leadership remains cautious.