Toyota to outsource redesign to Fuji Heavy

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Apr 9, 2006 | 01:09 PM

KrazyLexus

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Toyota to outsource redesign to Fuji Heavy

TOKYO: Toyota Motor Corp plans to outsource the full redesign of an existing Toyota model to Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, the maker of Subaru cars, the Nihon Keizai business daily reported on Wednesday.

The move comes as the world's second-largest auto maker faces severe personnel shortages amid rapid expansion of its business, the newspaper said.

The deal would also allow Fuji Heavy, now owned 8.7 percent by Toyota, to make better use of resources after it dissolved its capital ties with General Motors Corp last month, the report said.

The vehicle to be remodeled by Fuji Heavy has yet to be decided, but a sporty subcompact is a likely candidate, it added. A Toyota spokeswoman said Toyota and Fuji Heavy are exploring cooperation in development and production

Apr 9, 2006 | 02:54 PM

whoster

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i like sporty subcompacts.

especially that one they call the Impreza..

hurray for Toyota for recognizing Subaru's capabilities in this segment and using it to their benefit

Apr 9, 2006 | 03:26 PM

RA40

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Bring back the Celica in AWD and a beefy motor to run with WRX and EVO's.

Apr 10, 2006 | 12:14 AM

LexFather

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Suburu and Mazda are my fav non luxury brands. I would love a Toyota built with Subie know how.

Apr 10, 2006 | 03:57 AM

mmarshall

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Suburu and Mazda are my fav non luxury brands. I would love a Toyota built with Subie know how.

Toyota engine/transmission, Subaru AWD system, and Mazda chassis...now THERE is a combination.

.....................OK, maybe stick in BMW steering.

Apr 10, 2006 | 06:01 AM

Gojirra99

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Suburu and Mazda are my fav non luxury brands. I would love a Toyota built with Subie know how.

, well actually I don't like Subie styling on any of their cars but the WRX is

. I love the styling of all the Mazda sedans & hatchbacks, Mazda's are fun to drive

Apr 10, 2006 | 06:20 AM

mmarshall

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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexArazzo

, well actually I don't like Subie styling on any of their cars but the WRX is

. I love the styling of all the Mazda sedans & hatchbacks, Mazda's are fun to drive

Yes, Mazdas handle well and have ideal weight distribution.....but in general they ride stiffly. As with many other vehicles, you pay a price in ride comfort for that responsiveness and agility.

BMW, perhaps more any other brand, has prety much gotten the ride-handling compromise down pat....even the Chris Bangle ones.

Anyhow we got off-topic a little......Toyota depending on Subaru for outsourcing. The biggest barrier that I can see, though, is the fact that the excellent Subaru AWD systems are designed for low-mounted horizontal flat-4's and flat-6's.....engine designs that Toyota just is not into.