LexFather

http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/06/27...by-17-percent/

Toyota said today that it has increased its share in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the manufacturer of Subaru cars. FHI sold 61 million shares valued at 31.1 billion yen ($293 million) to Toyota, who now owns 16.61 percent of the company. The boosts Toyota’s current 9.5 percent stake making it the company’s top shareholder.

The two companies have strengthened their ties as the look to offset cost of developing new cars and technology. Subaru and Toyota are currently working together on hybrid technology. The two are also working on a new rear-wheel-drive sports coupe.


Toyota will sell the new car exclusively in Japan while the Subaru badged model will hit other markets around the world. Power is expected to come from a 2.0L boxer engine that produces 220-hp and will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Interesting fact: GM used to hold a 20 percent share in 2005. Wonder what that would’ve done for the three automakers today

SLegacy99

I think this is a good thing.

I am currently unhappy though. My Legacy blew last night. Smoke and oil everywhere. I think its a cam seal. Not too bad, just frustrating. However, its got 100k + miles so what would you expect?

UberNoob

japanese government approved this already?
i thought theres some anti-trust competition law preventing them from doing this

pingu

I don't see why they wouldn't.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Other than possibly diesel technology I see nothing else Subaru/Fuji offers to Toyota.

UberNoob

small AWD platforms?
flat 4 engines?
efficient turbo technology?
production capacity for ramp up?

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

None of which is of interest to me, but Toyota is paying out the bucks and they do know more about the industry than I do..........

LexFather

While I like Subie, they need some help too and to sell in more volume.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

I could not even say when I last saw a Soo, Ba ooh as my friend calls them on a road out here in California. Most likely due to I don't pay much attention to them. Cept they did have one model many years back with the different side windows and was pretty slick. Can't recall the model at this time.

SLegacy99

Exactly. I truly believe that an AWD hybrid would help with that. I think this sports coupe will help. They also needs some ads that get people excited as well as help people realize that a wagon can carry alot and get better gas mileage than a CUV.


Oh and my Subaru fired oil all over the floor of my garage. I mean it actually squirted with some force at least 1 quart. Had to have it towed. Considering buying my bro's IS but its only RWD, its an auto, and it gets terrible gas mileage.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

From what I understand they are really going for the diesel technology for their Tundra line. At least that is what a few are throwing around on the Tundra forums.

chrisyano

The SVX?

spwolf

diesel technology? Subaru started selling their first diesel 3 months ago, and Toyota has currently around 5-6 different series of diesel engines, including 1.4l, 2.0l, 2.2l, 3.0l, 4.5l... Toyota sells 4x more diesels every year than Subaru does cars

What they bought it for is expansion - Toyota is lacking engineers and factories...

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Yep, thats it, one of my favorites. Looks more modern than most cars coming off the sales floor these days.

SLegacy99

I still stop and stare every time I see an SVX. Its too bad that Subaru did it wrong and didn't offer a MT. I considered looking for one, but the good ones are still worth some money and I didn't want a 4 speed auto.