Subaru is a well-known car maker from Japan. This company’s story starts many years ago, right in the 1950s. That’s when a big group known as Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. or FHI decided to get into making cars.
The Birth of Subaru
In ’53, FHI started a car unit. Their goal? Create a small vehicle that could take on rivals in Japan’s post-war market. They called it Subaru. That’s Japanese for the Pleiades star group. Why this name? The six-star logo gave them the answer. It stands for the six firms that came together to become FHI.
Subaru entered the car world with their debut vehicle, the Subaru 1500, in 1954. The outcome of years of extensive research and development process. It was a compact car sporting a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. The Japanese market gave it a warm welcome.
Expansion and Collaboration
Subaru, during the 60s and 70s, got bigger. Both at home and abroad. They made more types of cars. One was the Subaru 360. It sold a lot in Japan, becoming a top choice.
Subaru allied with Toyota, another Japanese car maker, back in the 1980s. This partnership helped Subaru tap into Toyota’s cutting-edge manufacturing processes and boosted its global presence. They created the Subaru BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) and the Subaru Alcyone. Some markets saw these vehicles under the Toyota brand.
All-Wheel Drive Innovation
Subaru is known for its key role in all-wheel drive technology. Back in 1972, they released the Leone 4WD. This made them the first Japanese car producer to make a four-wheel drive car for everyone.
Subaru stuck to their all-wheel drive system in the nineties. They introduced the Subaru Legacy with a cool Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive feature. This smart system boosted stability, grip, and control. That’s why folks in snowy or rough places started loving Subaru wheels.
Subaru’s Global Success
Subaru has become a worldwide name over time. It’s honored for its trustworthy, high-performing, and safe cars. The company’s consistent creation of top-tier vehicles has built a faithful group of customers and granted it many awards.
Subaru is growing quick in the U.S. Sales are up, going up all the time. This is thanks to the company’s love for safety and the good word about their sturdy cars. Americans like that.