Subaru

Subaru's origins are rooted in the Nakajima Aircraft Company, which was a leading aircraft manufacturer for Japan during the early 20th century. Following the end of World War II, the company was dismantled and eventually reorganized in 1953 as Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). The automotive division was established shortly after, and the brand name 'Subaru'—the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster—was chosen to represent the six companies that merged to form FHI. In 1958, the company launched the Subaru 360, a tiny 'kei car' that became an icon of mass motorization in Japan due to its affordability and clever engineering. However, the brand's defining technical moment arrived in 1972 with the introduction of the Leone 4WD Station Wagon. This was the first mass-produced passenger car to feature four-wheel drive, a feature previously reserved for rugged off-road vehicles, setting the stage for Subaru's future identity. During the 1990s, Subaru achieved global acclaim through its participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The success of the Impreza WRX on the rally stage helped the brand transition from a manufacturer of utilitarian vehicles to a performance-oriented powerhouse. This era also saw the birth of the Legacy and the Outback, the latter essentially creating the modern crossover wagon segment by blending car-like handling with SUV ground clearance. In 2017, Fuji Heavy Industries officially changed its corporate name to Subaru Corporation to unify its identity with its primary brand. In recent years, Subaru has deepened its strategic partnership with Toyota, which holds a 20% stake in the company. This collaboration has resulted in the development of the BRZ sports car and the Solterra, Subaru's first mass-produced electric vehicle, while the company continues to refine its 'Subaru Global Platform' to enhance safety and driving dynamics across its core lineup.