| Impreza ▷ | from $17,895 |
| Legacy ▷ | from $20,295 |
| XV Crosstrek ▷ | from $21,995 |
| Forester ▷ | from $21,995 |
| Outback ▷ | from $24,895 |
| BRZ ▷ | from $25,495 |
| WRX ▷ | from $26,295 |
| Tribeca ▷ | from $32,595 |
Subaru, the auto manufacturing division of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), began in 1915 as the Aircraft Research Laboratory, headed by Chikuhei Nakajima. It was reorganized as Nakajima Aircraft Company, Ltd. in 1932 and primarily manufactured aircraft for WWII. When the war was over, the company again reorganized as Fuji Sangyo Co, Ltd. and in 1946 they began making motorized scooters from leftover aircraft parts.
Soon, the Japanese Government enacted the Corporate Credit Rearrangement Act and divided Fuji Sangyo into 12 corporations. However, by 1955, four of these smaller corporations and one new corporation merged. The newly formed Fuji Heavy Industries, headed by Kenji Kita, decided to move into the car building industry. They chose the name Subaru after the Japanese name for the Pleiades constellation, since several small corporations formed FHI. The first car produced was model 1500 in 1954.
Subaru entered the microvan market segment with the Sambar in 1961. By 1965, they introduced their boxer engine in the 1000 model. In the 80s, they introduced their first sports coupe, the Alcyclone. The Legacy also appeared at this time in an effort to compete with the mainstream cars offered to Americans by other Japanese carmakers.
Subaru ranks number two in safety and sixth in overall brand perception. The most successful model produced is the Forester. The Outback, Imprenza, and Legacy are other popular models.
In the past, Subaru focused on the subcompact and compact segments of the market. However, they have also moved into sedans, sports coupes, crossovers, and SUVs. As a nod to their aeronautical beginnings, they offer integrated frame/body designs, standard all-wheel drive, and electronic, continuously variable transmissions. They also have a recycling program for their cars.
Subaru of America’s Board consists solely of one CEO. Beneath him are two vice-presidents, a CFO-COO, and a CIO. Subaru holds 2.6% of the U.S. market share, but that is increasing. They sold 425,000 vehicles in 2013, more than a 25% increase over 2012 sales.
Last updated in June 2014. All prices were taken from the manufacturer's website. They're typically suggested retail prices (MSRPs) excluding tax, delivery, title, registration, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
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