SUBARU importer Inchcape is banking on a “rationalised”, multi-powertrain product line-up to counter its declining sales figures in Australia, according to Inchcape Australasia managing director Blair Read. 

 

 

This year is not shaping up to be much better for the Japanese brand, with 11,915 deliveries to the end of May, a decrease of 22.1 per cent compared with the same period last year.  

 

 

To combat this sales decline, Mr Read said Subaru’s range has been “rationalised” in recent years as it has prepared to adopt multiple powertrains across its line-up.  

 

 

“What you are now seeing is the years of work that have gone into preparing the Subaru range across multiple powertrains for the next phase of the brand’s performance,” said Mr Read.  

 

For the last three years, the Forester, Outback and Crosstrek have dominated Subaru’s sales. In 2025, Subaru sold 15,179 Foresters, 10,842 Crosstreks, and 8384 Outbacks.  

 

Excluding the Forester and Crosstrek, the Outback accounted for more sales than the rest of Subaru’ product range combined, as sales of the BRZ, Impreza, Solterra, and the WRX amounted to 4600 deliveries.  

 

Mr Read described Subaru’s focus on these three models as a “performance challenge” but pointed to its new BEV and hybrid models as a deliberate bid to refresh its range.  

 

“But one of the performance challenges over time for the brand, it’s been focused on a number of core models: Forester, Outback, Crosstrek as the core of the range. 

 

“(Recently), you’ve seen huge expansion in the range with strong hybrid – more to come on that – now three EV models as opposed to two years ago where there were zero EV models, expansion across the range and in the number of nameplates.”  

 

“So that has been a deliberate strategy over the last four to five years to refresh the model range for where customer trends and product trends are going in the industry here.” 

 

 

 

Just four years ago, 6752 BEVs were sold in Australia during the first quarter. In May of this year alone, one in five new vehicles sold in Australia was a BEV. 

 

 

 

Subaru’s current hybrid line-up comprises the Forester and Crosstrek small SUV, although the latter is more of a mild hybrid compared with the ‘strong hybrid’ Forester.

Chery has been one of the fastest-growing brands in Australia and, over the last 18 months, has launched Omoda Jaecoo as a sub-brand geared towards younger, “adventure-focused” families.

The automotive giant has now confirmed it will launch another sub-brand in Australia, which it calls Lepas, and has revealed its first BEV models heading towards our market.

According to the brand, the Lepas L6 electric SUV will be the next step for Chery’s commitment to electrified mobility for Australian customers in the fourth quarter of this year.

Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Lepas Australia, said: “The Lepas L6 represents an exciting new chapter for our business and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bringing innovative, technology-driven vehicles to Australian customers.”

“As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow locally, the Lepas L6 will offer Australian buyers a compelling combination of sophisticated design, intelligent features and everyday usability within the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.”

Powering the L6 will be a front-mounted electric drivetrain producing up to 160 kW of power and 275 Nm, delivering an estimated range of 450 km.

This is a slightly more powerful motor than the very popular Jaecoo J5 EV, which can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

Having driven the Lepas L6 in China on a closed track, it does show the refinement and sporty feel the Lepas brand will bring to our market.

This rides on the LEX platform, which allows the brand to incorporate the latest BEV architecture into these cars.

Although local technical specifications are yet to be confirmed, the L6 specs in other markets show a 67.1 kWh battery pack in the full BEV version. 

That battery size and the previously mentioned 450 km range appear to be an improvement over other similarly sized models.

On the outside, there are slim LED lights and a sportier look in the segment. While on the inside, the L6 will include more premium materials for comfort, while offering space for family car buyers. 

Key features include a panoramic glass roof plus a spacious cabin designed to enhance both driver and passenger experience.

Given the success of the J5 EV, we’d be keeping an eye out for the L6 and future Lepas models, as they could also see solid sales once they debut.

We look forward to testing it on our local roads when it arrives later this year, but our early impressions are quite promising.

Australian-market specs, pricing and launch timing for the Lepas L6 will be announced closer to the vehicle’s local arrival in Q4 2026.

See The Driven’s full list here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand

See The Driven’s EV sales data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand