| Subaru is for many the epitome of the driving | | | | Kenji Kita, the CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries which |
| experience, from reliability to comfort and handling; it is | | | | grew from the merger of Utsunomiya Sharyo and |
| a prime example of quality Japanese car | | | | Tokyo Fuji Dangyo. The name 'Subaru' was chosen |
| manufacturing. But do you know how the brand came | | | | for the car producing branch and takes its name from |
| to be a leading force in the global car industry? This | | | | the Japanese word for the Pleiades star group, |
| brief guide to the history of Subaru will equip you with | | | | featured on its present logo. The first car to be |
| all the facts to understand this popular motor brand. | | | | designed under the name was the Subaru 1500 and |
| The foundations of the company were laid when the | | | | so began a worldwide demand for the brand. Models |
| Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) began | | | | such as the Sambar, the Rex, the Leone, the Impreza, |
| as The Aircraft Research Laboratory in 1917. Chikuhei | | | | the Tribeca and the Exiga were released onto the |
| Nakajima led developments and in 1932 he became | | | | consumer and the Subaru vehicle has been a |
| the key figure, changing the company name to the | | | | mainstay ever since. |
| Nakajima Aircraft Company. With the onset of World | | | | A number of their models have made their way into |
| War II the focus for production was on aircraft and | | | | motorsports with the Impreza WRX and the WRX |
| following the war it became the Fuji Sangyo Co. Ltd. | | | | STi making successful headway in rally sports, with |
| setting about production of the Fuji Rabbit scooter | | | | drivers such as Colin McRae winning the World Rally |
| using spare aircraft machinery. The company later | | | | Championships in their vehicles. |
| diversified, splitting off into various different companies | | | | Subaru have always marketed their cars creatively |
| such as the Fuji Jidosha specialising in coach building, | | | | and insist that their designs offer "uncommon sense" |
| the Omiya Fuji Kogyo who made engines, the Fuji | | | | that set their models apart from other competitors. |
| Kogyo which built scooters and chassis makers | | | | Despite facing some setbacks as a result of the global |
| Utsunomiya Sharyo who later joined forces with | | | | economic crisis, the Japanese manufacturer is looking |
| Tokyo Fuji Dangyo trading corporation. | | | | towards a brighter future and will be releasing their |
| The emphasis was then put on the manufacturing of | | | | new FT-86 Concept vehicle in 2011. |
| automobiles and development was pushed ahead by | | | | |