Subaru Corporation

What does Subaru make?
Subaru Corporation manufactures passenger vehicles under the Subaru brand, including the Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, WRX, and BRZ. The company is known for its symmetrical all-wheel drive system and horizontally opposed boxer engines. Subaru also produces the BRZ sports car in collaboration with Toyota.

Is Subaru publicly traded?
Yes, Subaru Corporation is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 7270. Toyota Motor Corporation holds approximately 20% of Subaru's shares, making it the largest single shareholder. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.

Who founded Subaru?
Subaru Corporation traces its origins to Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., established in 1953 as a successor to Nakajima Aircraft Company. Kenji Kita was a key figure in the founding of Fuji Heavy Industries. The company produced its first Subaru automobile, the Subaru 360 microcar, in 1958. Fuji Heavy Industries renamed itself Subaru Corporation in April 2017.

Where is Subaru headquartered?
Subaru Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company's primary manufacturing facilities are in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, and in Lafayette, Indiana, USA (through Subaru of Indiana Automotive). Subaru of America, the company's US subsidiary, is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.

How many vehicles does Subaru sell annually?
Subaru sells approximately 1 million vehicles annually worldwide, with the United States accounting for approximately 50% of global sales. The US market has been the primary driver of Subaru's growth over the past two decades, with Subaru of America consistently setting sales records through the late 2010s and early 2020s.

Who owns Subaru Corporation?
Subaru Corporation is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Toyota Motor Corporation holds approximately 20% of Subaru's shares, making it the largest single shareholder. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders. Atsushi Osaki serves as President and CEO.

Subaru Corporation traces its origins to Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., which was established in 1953 as a successor to Nakajima Aircraft Company, a major Japanese aircraft manufacturer during World War II. Nakajima Aircraft was dissolved following Japan's defeat in 1945, and its assets were reorganized into several companies that eventually merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries.

Fuji Heavy Industries produced its first automobile, the Subaru 360 microcar, in 1958. The Subaru 360 was a significant achievement for postwar Japan, providing affordable personal transportation during the country's economic recovery. The name "Subaru" comes from the Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster, which is depicted in the company's logo.

The company introduced the Subaru Leone in 1971, which was available with optional four-wheel drive, an early precursor to the company's commitment to AWD. Subaru introduced its symmetrical all-wheel drive system in 1972, a technology that would become the defining characteristic of the brand.

The Subaru Legacy and Impreza were introduced in 1989 and 1992 respectively, establishing the core of the modern Subaru lineup. The Impreza WRX, introduced in 1992, became a rallying icon, winning multiple World Rally Championship titles and establishing Subaru's performance credentials.

The Subaru Outback, introduced in 1994 as a raised wagon variant of the Legacy, became one of the company's most successful models, particularly in the United States and Australia, where it helped define the crossover segment.

Fuji Heavy Industries renamed itself Subaru Corporation in April 2017, aligning the corporate name with its primary automotive brand.

For fiscal year 2025 (ended March 31, 2025), Subaru reported revenue of approximately 4.7 trillion yen, reflecting continued strong performance in the US market.

Subaru has faced several product quality issues in recent years. The company issued significant recalls related to oil consumption problems in its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, affecting multiple model years of the Outback, Forester, and other models. Subaru also faced recalls related to the Takata airbag inflator defect, which affected millions of vehicles across the industry.

The company has also faced scrutiny in Japan regarding workplace practices and labor conditions at its manufacturing facilities.