Confirmation has finally arrived from Subaru that its upcoming all-electric model, the Subaru Getaway, is having some trouble leaving the gate. The good news? Amid a sea of electric vehicles getting canceled, Getaway is still alive.
The bad news is that it’s delayed. The Getaway is based on the upcoming fifth-generation Toyota Highlander, which is also delayed, so the news isn’t exactly coming out of nowhere. Toyota recently announced an eight-week production delay for the new crossover, slated to be built (along with the Subie) and Toyota’s factory in Kentucky. Until now, Subaru had been curiously quiet about its Getaway plan. And yes, we’ve been dying to say Getaway plan since the SUV was announced. But we digress.
A Fundamental Issue
2027 Subaru GetawaySubaru
Both statements to the press have been vague about the problem causing a production delay for the Highlander and Getaway. Subaru echoed Toyota’s vague reasoning in a statement to Carscoops, saying: “The start of production for the Getaway is expected to be delayed to allow sufficient time for final adjustments before launch.” However, as it affects both models, that points to a fundamental issue and not, say, a problem with the infotainment system or anything else that would be specific to each model.
A Little Speculation On The Hold-Up
2027 Subaru GetawaySubaru
Under the skin, both models will essentially be the same – a three-row all-electric SUV to rival the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. “Final adjustments before launch” suggests it’s not a production line issue, but a vehicle issue. It’s unlikely to be software, as that’s something that can be updated following the start of production. If it’s that much of an issue, it could be updated wirelessly or by dealerships when they take delivery.
If it’s a supply chain issue for a specific part or group of parts, that would be a huge surprise, considering Toyota is the master of production and supply chains. To the point where Toyota works with its supply chain partners to make sure they operate to the company’s standards. If it’s a supply chain issue, then it must be a part or group of parts that’s being delayed. The most likely culprit there would be batteries. The battery pack in an EV is the most expensive and complex part and the Highlander/Getaway uses a lithium-ion based unit, which is common technology now.
Another possible issue is a global computer memory supply shortage. That’s the reason why computers in general are jumping up in price. This is due to AI data centers consuming all the semiconductor memory that can be produced globally. As a result, things like RAM and NAND flash memory have become scarce and expensive. The situation is to the point that it’s being called “RAMamageddon” and the “RAMpocolypse” in tech media.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
2027 Subaru GetawaySubaru
If the delay in production for the Highlander and Getaway is for an engineering fix, whether to a component or the manufacturing line, this is not a big deal. Eight weeks will make a difference to both Subaru and Toyota, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a financial hit from a line not moving for eight weeks. If it’s a problem caused by the semiconductor memory shortage, then that’s the start of an industry problem.
And, by “start of an industry problem,” we mean a huge industry problem. Cars now, particularly all-electric cars, are reliant on computers, and RAMaggedden is affecting a lot of computing components. Those components include RAM modules and SSD hard drives as well as graphics processing units (GPUs), which are used for computation in advanced driver-aid systems (ADAS) as well as dashboard and gauge cluster graphics.
It’s the kind of industry problem that could end up sinking a struggling automaker if it continues to spiral. And there’s no sign that RAMaggedden will end anytime soon.
Source: Carscoops
