Factory reducing Subaru NZ’s pre-Xmas allocation by 80 percent spoils launch pitch.

FURTHER frustration for effort to introduce Subaru’s first full electric model, with a plan to achieve strong pre-Christmas release on back of a last-chance subsidy boost largely stymied.

The Solterra likely now stands as the hardest car Subaru NZ has ever tried to bring to launch, with almost two years of setbacks already.

The make’s partner in production, Toyota, seems to blame for the latest issue, which Subaru NZ boss Wallis Dumper today said had left his Auckland-centre operation “totally devastated.”

“All the planning in the world fell apart at the last minute.”

Japan’s No.1 runs the factory that makes the all-wheel-drive model for Subaru, in addition to producing its own version, called bZ4X, also coming to NZ.

The Toyota plant has come up well short on fulfilling Subaru NZ’s initial order, which was over-subscribed by those eager to achieve it with a $7015 Clean Car Discount anticipated to end on December 31 at latest.

Of the 50 cars that were expected to land in time to claim the Government handout, just 11 will actually be here.

Exactly when those cars will touch NZ soil is still unknown.

The ship is en route from Japan, yet while Dumper expects it to make Auckland within the week, he doesn’t know what exact day it will unload.

That could become a vital factor as there has been talk that the National Party-led coalition Government is so anxious to demolish Clean Car - not just the subsidies but also the penalties on high CO2 vehicles - it might yet advance the scheme’s end date.

It has made this a matter of urgency, but whereas ending the support programme is easy, curtailing the CO2 impost is harder, as it is a tax, and so requires legislative change via a Parliamentary sitting.

Dumper says the latest issue, advised to dealers days ago, is just another challenge to overcome.

“We will get through this, but it is hugely disappointing.”

Toyota has a 30 percent stake in Subaru and the brand have worked on other projects - another already here is the Toyota GR86 sports car, whose BRZ equivalent SNZ doesn’t sell. The GR86 is built by Subaru.

Solterra, though, is primarily a Toyota design, so it has build rights - and also decides allocation.

Dumper says the factory simply could not meet the NZ request.

“We just got told they were not going to ship in time, so we have missed out.”

Allocation of those cars that did achieve shipment will be on based on when orders were placed; earliest sign-ups have first dibs.

Those who miss out will have opportunity to cancel their orders, if they did not want to proceed knowing their cars were not going to be CCD eligible.

It is a far from ideal situation coloured by sensitivity. Outright criticism of Japan would not help future relations with the NZ operation, which is not a factory shop.

SNZ still holds high hopes for the Solterra, which it has ordered in two versions, an entry car and a higher-specified Touring, both with all-wheel-drive.

But this is a situation that has caused frustration given that SNZ was so confident it could get 50 cars, if not more, that two months ago it kicked in publicity to curry up interest.

Then it advised the early bird buyers of the base product, called Solterra, would achieve access to the CCD.

Dumper says that pitch resulted in all 50 cars being quickly assigned; not all to private buyers - dealerships were also keen to buy in so as to achieve a subsided demonstrator car.

“They are also upset as they will not get the rebate to make it a more cost-effective demo.”

All this plays out as the car market is a state of stupor; December sales are expected to be as flat as in November, a poor month.

Buyers of high-CO2 products, mainly utes, are holding off to avoid the penalty but the last-minute rush the industry expected to see on rebate-eligible EVs hasn’t happened, either.

Many distributors appear overloaded with electric product they had ordered in months ago, when CCD seemed safe and was driving sales.

There’s thought EVs in the sub-$80,000 bracket that achieved rebates might become more expensive in 2024.

Dumper says what happens with Solterra is not clear, and though he remains committed to the car, a new Impreza sedan that comes only in petrol form will be of higher priority when it releases at the start of 2024.

Toyota NZ has indicated an early-2024 release of the bZ4X. It also the Solterra are identical in technical design, though the Toyota will also come in a single motor, rear-drive format SNZ doesn’t want.

The cars are also on the same platform as the Lexus RZ 350e, already on sale in NZ, again with the same fundamentals although it has more power.