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Will Toyota Take Over Ownership of Subaru?
A change to Japan’s antitrust laws on the first of this month has paved the way for industry giant Toyota to take over Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru. Toyota has owned an 8.7% minority stake in Fuji Heavy since October 2005 but this is set to increase to a controlling stake in the near future. Now, in a recent interview with The Car Connection, CEO of Subaru Ikuo Mori admitted that his company would likely cease to exist without the aid of Toyota, but don’t expect it to become just another Toyota division.

The partnership between the two kicked into full swing last year after Subaru cut its ties with General Motors. “The reason we stopped that alliance with GM was because of their own difficulties,” said Mori, adding “the result were not good with GM.” Subaru was in need of a savior and in came Toyota.

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Will Toyota Take Over Ownership of Subaru?



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d1sinfod1sinfo - 4/12/2007 11:11:01 AM
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d1sinfod1sinfo - 4/12/2007 11:50:56 AM
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This no thanks was in response to someones comment about the new Impreaza being based off of camry/es.

I am not anti toyota/subaru unless of course they try and kill STi, and other motorsports divisions.

Josh




2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 4/13/2007 1:34:13 AM
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Thats a dumb comment and idea!!!The only thing that they will probably share is the hybrid systems..

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wooodwoood - 4/12/2007 10:14:11 AM
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Even if Toyota takes over Subaru, it will benefit Subaru more. I think Subaru will still have their independence and will be an improved company in the future with Toyota's inputs.

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tholethole - 4/12/2007 12:24:46 PM
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To Subaru : welcome to DaiHaTsu family


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 2:22:52 PM
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Toyota will benefit from drivetrain, performance and safety systems. Subaru from the sheer cash flow and marketing budget of Toyota. It'll be a good mix. Much better than GM.


BigShow50BigShow50 - 4/12/2007 10:21:28 AM
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All wheel drive technology for Toyota/Lexus, will be a huge stepping stone for them too...and possibly the begining of innovative perfomance handling and road feel/response. An area that has been critized for many years, those people have to realize Toyota/Lexus are very conservative company, it's only a matter of time. And when they actually execute those areas...well it will be even more fun and exciting that's for sure.

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wooodwoood - 4/12/2007 10:26:25 AM
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Cant mix them all together. Each brand has their own characteristics.


ExigeOwnerExigeOwner - 4/12/2007 10:24:14 AM
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The new Impreza does look remarkably similar to the Corolla...

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noraknorak - 4/25/2007 4:40:52 AM
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The Corolla is the World's best-selling car so maybe this styling change will boost Impreza sales.


1995e341995e34 - 4/12/2007 10:48:10 AM
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i heard gm let them go because it would be hard for them to share platforms with a company that exclusively used boxer-style engines. if that's the case, toyota may have limited use for them too.

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AMGC55AMGC55 - 4/12/2007 10:51:47 AM
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subaru's AWD system from the STI on the upcoming Supra... and it could compete with the GTR

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/12/2007 11:00:31 AM
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I like Subarus for their excellence in 4WD so I welcome the possibility that Toyota will save Subaru by absorbing it. The only fear I have is that Toyota will cheapen the Subaru product for financial reasons.

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d1sinfod1sinfo - 4/12/2007 11:14:38 AM
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As much as I think Subaru's awd system is fantastic it is still nothing revolutionary. They use a LSD in the rear where some of there competitors don't, and on there auto cars they use electronic front, and center and wheel speed sensors to control traction.

This is speaking purely in regards to there auto cars. The STI is a tad different as it uses helical diffs front and rear these days, and a fancy center diff.

I just think they do it well, reliably, and thats the most important part. Toyota doesn't need Subaru to accomplish the same thing. Toyota needs Subaru to expand there empire, which could be good or bad for the consumer. I don't say 'empire' in a bad way, at this point it's just a good word to describe there growth.

Josh

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SupraNeverBackSupraNeverBack - 4/12/2007 12:10:12 PM
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AWD is nothing special. Toyota has its own AWDs, part time, full time, on-demand, permanent mechanical, all kinds of AWDs, 4WDs.

If something Toyota might really want is BATTERY for hybrid.


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speedmasterspeedmaster - 4/12/2007 2:20:53 PMView My AgentSpace
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I beg to differe SupraNeverBack.

Subaru has symmetrical AWD. Their AWD have a 50/50. Subaru also emplys boxer type engines.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 4/12/2007 2:24:58 PM
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But how many performance cars has Toyota produced w/ these systems?


1995e341995e34 - 4/12/2007 4:27:18 PM
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if a tree falls in a forest...

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d1sinfod1sinfo - 4/12/2007 5:22:38 PM
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BMW King will say something about bmw lol

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richardp996richardp996 - 4/12/2007 3:20:48 PM
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The two can benefit a lot from one another. Each could supply the other with something, for example Subaru could share input and technology for future AWD systems in Toyotas. Toyota could offer stringent quality tests. Those are just possible examples and maybe Toyota does not need AWD systems and Subaru might not need quality tests but it doesn't hurt knowing that the strengths of others who are on the same side can be yours too.

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huu76huu76 - 4/12/2007 6:58:05 PM
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Subaru is a racing company, they can help Toyota with their sport image.

Toyota is made of money and leads in technology, 'nuff said.

WRX STi-h? or 300hp AWD Corolla/Matrix?

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d1sinfod1sinfo - 4/13/2007 9:02:05 PM
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Hu? The WRX, STi and Legacy all have a rally racing lineage it is far from that of Toyota.

Josh

p.s. STi-H... no thanks. Keep the lion and lipo out and keep the weight down.


Agent63Agent63 - 4/12/2007 10:30:31 PMView My AgentSpace
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They will not put the STi engine in a Corolla or a Matrix. It's not going to happen. You can buy 2 Corolla's with one STi and probably some change left over.

The Subaru and Toyota will benefit each other with this partnership. Toyota's reliability with Subaru's known turbo-charged engines & 4 wheel drive capability it's a win win situation.

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huu76huu76 - 4/12/2007 10:33:04 PM
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Well, what about a WRX Corolla? Some ppl may prefer the Toyota name and it wouldn't be a big seller, but they'd atleast have it in the lineup.

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2JZSoarer2JZSoarer - 4/13/2007 1:44:14 AM
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What Toyota needs to do is bring back the RWD Corolla GTS,we should send a petition to Toyota headquarters in Torrance to bring the RWD GTS Corolla back!!

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burning78burning78 - 4/13/2007 1:57:27 AM
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toyota alrdy took over by making the impreza sedan look like the yaris

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austintysonaustintyson - 4/13/2007 5:53:02 AM
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Umm I remember GM dumping Subaru to get cash. I don't remember it being Subaru idea. GM owned the stock and sold it off. But that being said. I think if Toyota let Subaru be what it has always been it could be good. But I can see down the road that Toyota will be just like GM is. Platform sharing, badge engineering. Other words Toyota will be like GM of the last 30 plus years...just my thougths

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cjxxcjxx - 4/14/2007 10:30:35 AM
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I believe Toyota wants to have additional access to more proprietary engineering that compliments Toyotas current array of engineers. That is why they buy bits and pieces of companies as opposed to leaping in with both feet and winding up likeChrysler GM/Saab Ford/VolvoJag,Rover. It is more of a symbiotic relationshipt. Toyota has a piece of Subaru and may get some more as Toyotas needs require. Toyota was one of the only manufacturers to avoid the drug of trying to buy up other car companies. It is hard enough to manage a manufacturing company the size of Toyota (or GM Ford Daimler etc. for that matter) much less to take on the problems and cash sucking demands of marginally successful ones. I think Toyota has invested wisely in Subaru, Yamaha and others to get additional resources without high risk or disruption.

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huu76huu76 - 4/15/2007 11:56:04 PM
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Subaru employees also stay employeed by building Camry's in plants operating at under capacity.

Design wise, I think Subaru will get autonomy (Toyota still has the final say though I'm sure). Subaru would benefit from lower material costs due to Toyota's purchasing power.

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DieselDiesel - 4/18/2007 1:37:59 PM
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Bad idea. Toyota, keep giving money to Subaru, but you can't get married it'd be wierd.

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