Subaru Vehicles Become the "Thinking Man's" Performance Cars

From the post-World War II wreckage of Nakajimaproduced offerings.
Aircraft Company arose a company that made motorAdditionally, Subaru has incorporated their fine
scooters from left over airplane parts. Fuji SangyoAll-Wheel-Drive system into all their models, making
Company was eventually formed into twelve differentthem the only manufacturer to offer the traction
operations. Six of these separate entities cameadvantages of all the wheels being driven by their
together to form Fuji Heavy Industries in 1950, with thehigh-reving boxer engines.
express intent of entering the automobileAmong the most popular Subaru models have been
manufacturing industry.the Legacy (1989), Impreza (1993), Outback SUV
The name selected for the automobile brand was(1995) and the Forester SUV (1997). The Outback
Subaru, the Japanese word for the six-star cluster inachieved prominence in Western markets when their
the heavens, The Pleiaides. The name isadvertising campaign featured Paul "Crocodile Dundee"
representative of the six companies that cameHogan as their spokesperson. The highlights of the ads
together to form FHI.were the versatility, power and rugged performance
From inauspicious beginnings, the Subaru brand ofof this small SUV: Car-like comfort and features with
autos, light trucks and sports utility vehicles has comeoff-road capability.
to represent a quirky, competent choice of intelligent,Subaru Technica International is to Subaru what AMG
free-thinking people who appreciate quality andis to Mercedes Benz or Motorsports Division is to
performance in their vehicular choices.BMW. Turbo-charging began to be offered on Impreza
Subaru is not positioned in the "basic transportation"models with the appellation "WRX" to denote their
mainstream of the auto industry. Rather, they have setWorld Rally Cup heritage. They upgraded
themselves apart by targeting discerning, educated,performance even further with the addition of STi to
younger people with a taste for adventure, who aredesignate a small sedan with a high output engine and
viewed as smart, solid, but different.sports suspension that was rally-capable right off the
This corporate marketing strategy is evidenced by theshowroom floor.
fact that Subaru was the first automobile company toAs competitors in the World Rally Championship,
offer "boxer" engines in mass produced cars andSubaru took the manufacturer's title three years in a
SUVs. Sure, Porsche and Ferrari offer or haverow, 1995-7. Many endurance records and podium
offered boxer engines, but neither of these twofinishes have been recorded by Subaru drivers in all
manufacturers could be considered as having massparts of the world.