Japan's top automaker believes technological breakthroughs, such as hydrogen engines, can give internal combustion a new lease on life — saving jobs as well as the environment.

The Subaru Solterra, the automaker's first global electric vehicle, is the badge-sharing stablemate of the Toyota bZ4X — and is the spitting image of its sibling, from the oversized wheel cladding and beveled back fender to the funky wraparound taillight motif. The Solterra goes on sale in mid-2022 in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Europe and China.

Subaru, citing the advent of electrification and other environmental regulations, said it will not produce a WRX STI with an internal combustion engine based on the recently launched WRX platform.

The Solterra, Subaru's first global EV, offers the brand's trademark all-wheel-drive setup. But on the outside, it shares a lot with Toyota.

Subaru will jump into the electric vehicle fray next year with a crossover co-developed with Toyota alongside Toyota's new bZ4X.

When it goes on sale this summer, the 2023 Solterra, Subaru's first electric vehicle, will start at $46,220 and top out at more than $53,000.

Automakers will show about 10 electric vehicles or concepts at the rebranded AutoMobility LA show.

Does it make sense these days to invest in a new generation of small, gasoline-powered, modestly priced sports cars? Absolutely, say Toyota and Subaru.

Subaru's partnership with Toyota that launched a couple of nifty sports cars, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86, moves in a new direction that is more suited for the all-wheel-drive specialist.