Subaru is a Japanese car brand that was created in 1953, previously operating as the Nakajima Aircraft Company. The company was founded by Chikuhei Nakajima. Subaru manufacture a full range of passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, SUVs, crossovers, and high performance cars in Japan and factories around the world. They’re best known for their reliable cars and their racing history, particularly the World Rally Championship. Subaru headquarters are currently in Ebisu, Shibuya, Japan. Subaru is スバル in Japanese.
Subaru Company Timeline – History
1917 – Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (FHI) is created as The Aircraft Research Laboratory by Chikuhei Nakajima.
1932 – The Aircraft Research Laboratory is reorganized to create the Nakajima Aircraft Company which, soon after reorganization, becomes the primary manufacturer of aircraft for the Japanese army during WWII.
1946 – After the end of World War II, the Nakajima Aircraft company becomes the Fuji Sangyo Co., Ltd and creates the Fuji Rabbit motor scooter using left over aircraft parts from the war.
1950 – the Japanese Governments’s Corporate Credit Rearrangement Act requires the division of larger companies and the Fuji Sangyo Co is divided into twelve smaller companies, five of which (Fuji Kogyo, a scooter company, Fuji Jidosha, a coach company, Omiya Fuji Kogyo, an engine manufacturer, Utsunomiya Sharyo, a chassis builder, and the Toyko Fuji Dangyo trading company) merge to form the Fuji Heavy Industries. CEO Kenji Kita begins designing passenger vehicles.
1954 – Fuji Heavy Industries begins manufacturing vehicles under the name of Subaru, beginning with the Subaru 1500.
1958 – Fuji introduces the Subaru 360.
1965 – Malcolm Bricklin introduces the Fuji Rabbit and Subaru 360 to the US under a deal with Subaru.
1968 – Subaru of America Inc is founded as a subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries of Japan.
1989 – The popular Subaru Legacy is launched.
1996 – Subaru begins manufacturing all its vehicles with a standard all wheel drive system.
2005 – Toyota Motor Company purchases 8.7% of FHI from General Motors. Toyota eventually acquires 16.5% of FHI.
2006 – Toyota announces a contract with Subaru to use the Subaru manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
2018 – Subaru produces their largest SUV, the Subaru Ascent 8 seater, mid sized crossover manufactured in the Lafayette, Indiana, USA factory.
2020 – Below is a photograph of the high performance Subaru WRX AWD for sale in Australia. It has a turbocharged Boxer engine.
More on Subaru Vehicles
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