Who Owns Subaru? Here’s The Scoop
Source: Pixabay
The auto manufacturing industry is filled with complex and sometimes confusing ownership structures. For instance, the same company (Stellantis) that owns Jeep also has Maserati under its umbrella. Meanwhile, BMW owns MINI and Rolls-Royce. The list could go on and on. One brand with a distinct background is the Japanese automaker Subaru and its history of partnering with other car companies. Let’s dive into the story of this company and answer the question, “Who owns Subaru?”
Understanding the company’s origins makes sense for its countless fans across the globe. Subaru has a cult-like status for many, thanks to its iconic rally heritage and reputation for rugged, go-anywhere cars. And while Subaru can be considered the small car company that can, its connection to much larger competitors has had a lasting impact on its products.
Who Owns Subaru: The Early Years
Long before the first Subaru rolled off the factory floor, the Aircraft Research Laboratory was established in Japan in 1917. The business later became the Nakajima Aircraft Company in 1919 and would go on to produce military planes for Japan during World War II. Post-war, the company restructured under the Fuji Sangyo banner and started making scooters from surplus aircraft parts. Production expanded to buses, industrial engines, and other related products.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
The Debut of Subaru Cars and Fuji Heavy Industries
In 1953, the firm debuted its first car, the Subaru 1500, a small sedan well-suited to a home market recovering from the war. Subaru comes from the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, sometimes called the “Seven Sisters.” By tradition, one of the “sisters” is invisible, which explains Subaru’s six-star logo.
Around the same time, the company was reorganized as Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), while the Subaru brand produced more models, including the air-cooled 360 city car and compact Sambar truck. By 1965, Subaru introduced its trademark boxer engine into its lineup. Boxer powerplants are flat-style internal combustion engines well-suited to small engine bays.
Subaru’s Partnership with other Automakers
Following a Japanese government directive to make the country’s auto industry more competitive, Nissan acquired more than 20% of FHI. Under this partnership, Subaru expanded its offerings with the Impreza in 1993 and the Forester in 1997.
Following the Nissan and Renault link-up, General Motors acquired Nissan’s interests in FHI in 1999. New models joining the Subaru line-up during this period included the small Baja pickup and the Tribeca crossover. At this time, GM owned the Swedish brand Saab (unusual automaker connections date back decades), and a rebadged Impreza hit the market as the Saab 9-2X.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Subaru dominated the World Rally Championship racing series, enhancing its reputation for high-performing all-wheel-drive systems and boxer-style engines.
Seeking to consolidate its operations, GM sold off its FHI shares in 2005, with Toyota buying a minority of these holdings. At that point, Toyota owned just under 9% of FHI, and the two companies began to collaborate on new models. By 2008, Toyota owned more than 16% of Subaru, and today it holds 20%.
In 2017, FHI was renamed Subaru Corporation to better reflect its concentration in the automotive sector.
THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE
There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
Who Owns Subaru: The Toyota Years
The first products of the Subaru and Toyota partnership were the Toyota 86 (originally sold in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S) and Subaru BRZ sports cars. The alliance continues to help Subaru remain competitive in the rapidly changing car business.
Both automakers have jointly developed hybrid systems and recently collaborated on a new electric vehicle platform. The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, all-electric crossovers, share most components and mark the first mass-production EV for both automakers.
One way to answer the “Who owns Subaru?” question is by saying the company’s shareholders do. Toyota just happens to be the largest shareholder.
But regardless of the connection, Subaru maintains a distinct brand identity while benefiting from Toyota’s technology and sheer scale. Statista says Toyota built about 10.5 million vehicles globally in 2021, compared to Subaru’s 860,000 units for the same period.
That’s not to say that the partnership hasn’t led to criticism from the brand’s loyal customer base. Certain discerning Subaru fans feel that the automaker is losing its identity due to overreliance on Toyota’s technology and innovation. They point to the Solterra as nothing more than a rebadged Toyota as proof.
However, objections haven’t diminished Subaru’s strong sales among outdoor enthusiasts and those living in snowy regions.
WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY
Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
2023 Subaru Lineup
With a review of Subaru’s origin and current status complete, let’s take a brief look at what the company is selling for the 2023 model year. Here’s what you’ll find at a Subaru dealership near you:
- Subaru Crosstrek: While initially based on an Impreza wagon, the subcompact Crosstrek crossover has grown into its own nameplate. It consistently ranks as the company’s third top seller.
- Subaru Impreza: Available as a sedan or five-door wagon, the Impreza is the brand’s entry-level model and is the cheapest new car you can buy with standard all-wheel drive. It’s also one of the few cars still available with a manual transmission.
- Subaru BRZ: The result of a joint venture with Toyota, the BRZ holds the distinction of being the only Subaru without standard all-wheel drive. It’s a rear-wheel drive-only sports car.
- Subaru Forester: Taking on the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and other compact crossovers, the Forester is Subaru’s best-selling car.
- Subaru Legacy: Subaru has sold Legacy models in the U.S. since 1989. While originally a station wagon, today’s Legacy only comes as a sedan.
- Subaru WRX: Another spin-off from the Impreza platform, the WRX is a stand-alone model and Subaru’s gutsy sports sedan.
- Subaru Outback: Ranking number two among the company’s most popular models, the Outback uses clever packaging to hide that it’s a station wagon in crossover clothing.
- Subaru Ascent: Introduced in 2019, the Ascent offers a three-row option for buyers needing something larger than Subaru’s other crossovers.
- Subaru Solterra: Sharing just about everything with the Toyota bZ4X, the Solterra gives Subaru a significant and needed entry into the exploding EV segment.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
