Subaru did not begin as a manufacturer of automobiles. The company’s origins extend back to the 1915 founding of The Aircraft Research Laboratory. Through a series of mergers with other manufacturers, this company was eventually reorganized to become Fuji Heavy Industries. In 1968, Fuji Heavy Industries CEO Kenji Kata named the company’s first automotive prototype vehicle Subaru after the Japanese name for the star cluster of the Pleiades.
Subaru quickly distinguished itself for producing vehicles that were competently engineered and priced very affordably. The exterior aesthetics of the Subaru have always been pragmatic and efficient. The interior comforts and features of the vehicle have been competitive with vehicles in its economic class. Several popular models include the Legacy, the Forester, the Impreza, and the Tribeca.
The car gained popularity among buyers worldwide for its unusual marketing campaign. In the... View more 1980s Subaru chose to promote its 4x4 vehicles with celebrities such as Paul Hogan. The car gained greater popularity in the U.S. for its relatively compact design. This appealed particularly to younger urban buyers. Instead of buying enormous vehicles that were expensive to maintain, many younger car buyers chose smaller cars that had fewer maintenance problems. The Subaru’s engineering specs were unfailingly accurate. Customers who adhered to the recommended schedule of maintenance experienced excellent operating results.
Subaru also positioned itself as a far cheaper alternative to other Japanese car manufacturers including Honda and Toyota. Both Honda and Toyota did not attempt to cross over into the 4x4 market until several decades later. Subaru’s decision to manufacture compact cars, 4x4 vehicles and station wagons allowed the company to attract a previously underserved share of the market. In the 1990s, Subaru became known for its station wagon and outdoor image. The company embraced advertising to a variety of fringe groups that other car companies did not actively court. The company also temporarily invested in professional Formula One racing. The investment proved to be unsuccessful.
In the first decade of the 21st century, Subaru began to upgrade its interior features and options. The company partnered with audio manufacturer Harman Kardon and began investing in more luxurious upholstery and other creature comforts. Subaru made these moves primarily to stay competitive with other sport utility vehicles. The company also began investigating other engineering technologies including Diesel fuel. While the average gas mileage of Subaru vehicles has always been noteworthy, it has never been outstanding. Other car manufacturers have produced commercial vehicles with exceptional gas mileage due to their incorporation of an electric hybrid technology. In 2006, Subaru created the Stella Plug-In electric vehicle. The vehicle’s relatively restricted range and high price has made it a slow seller. The Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept car is an electric/gas hybrid car. The company is also developing two additional electric vehicles. The G4e and R1e are still in the testing stage.
Despite experimenting with new interior features and alternative energy technologies, Subaru has upheld its dedication to excellent engineering. This single quality has remained the defining characteristic of the company since its inception. View less
The Subaru Baja is a mid-size, car-based pickup truck. It is a front-engine, all-wheel drive vehicle designed to have the passenger capacity of a sedan with the load-carrying capacity of a small pickup. It has...
The Subaru Forester is a five-door station wagon/ crossover vehicle. It is a front-engine, all-wheel drive car that seats five. Although originally designed as a station wagon, the Forester has transitioned to...
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car available as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. It has also been available as a two-door sports coupe. It is a front-engine, all-wheel drive car. The four- and...
The Subaru Legacy began production in 1989 and is still being produced 22 years later. Also referred to as the Liberty, the Legacy is a mid-size automobile that is available in two distinct body styles:...
The Subaru Outback is a compact sports utility vehicle. Featuring symmetrical all-wheel drive, ample ground clearance, and a smaller design that many other SUV's, this crossover is capable of going places...
The Subaru Tribeca is a front-engined, mid-size crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with ample cargo and passenger capacities. Built on the Subaru Legacy platform, it is the only vehicle in its class...
