Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), parent of Subaru, unveiled its new Subaru Global Platform (SGP), to be used on all its next-generation vehicles, according to the company press release. The new platform, currently under development, will offer enhanced vehicle performance and stronger vehicles as compared to its predecessor, says the company. In terms of strength, torsional rigidity has been enhanced dramatically (a claimed 70−100% increase over present models) due to new optimised frame structure and stronger joints, along with increased use of high-tensile steel plates, including materials formed by the hot press method. Further, a rear stabiliser that is mounted directly to the body reduces the body roll of the vehicle by 50%, compared to present models, says FHI. In the event of a collision, the new platform is expected to achieve comparatively 40% more energy absorption, which will be further improved by using new materials in the future. FHI will manufacture powertrains such as gasoline (petrol), hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicle (EV) using a common chassis under the new global platform.
Significance: The SGP is a part of the six initiatives outlined in the company's mid-term management vision, Prominence 2020, announced in 2014. The plan runs from 2014 to 2020 and is aimed towards strengthening Subaru's competitiveness and business structure. The new SGP will help the company develop stronger vehicles and streamline its production. According to IHS Automotive data, the new SGP platform will launch in late 2016 as a successor to the SI(2) platform. The company aims to reduce development time and achieve globally flexible production through the SGP by consolidating the basic platform C- and D-segment designs from the Impreza to the Outback. We expect the first model off the SGP platform to be the next Impreza in October. With this platform, Japanese production sites will take on supplying the Impreza, Forester, Legacy, Levorg, WRX, and XV, while the US plant will produce the Impreza, in the long-term. For the full year 2016, we expect the total production volume of vehicles based on the new SGP platform to reach 27,911 units, which will increase to 195,834 units in 2017.
