Toyota cleared to buy SUBARU!

[WhiteAlltrac]

Toyota cleared to buy Subaru
Changes to Japan’s antitrust laws has leaves the path open for industry giant Toyota to take over Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru. Toyota has owned an 8.7% stake of Fuji Heavy since October 2005 but according to analysts, the company always wanted a controlling stake but couldn’t due to the antitrust laws at the time. According to Automotive News, combined sales of Toyota and Fuji Heavy comprised 45.6% of the Japanese domestic market in 2006.

Under the previous antitrust rules, no company could control 50% of the Japanese market for any product, but the new rulings will look at global market share instead when reviewing mergers and acquisitions. The changes are designed to strengthen Japanese companies’ competitiveness on world markets, but won’t take effect until the 1st of April. Toyota taking a controlling stake in Fuji Heavy is sure to bring that number one automaker spot ever closer to the Japanese giant. We also hope that Toyota will take advantage of Subaru’s expertise in AWD and performance cars and apply them to future models. Subaru could definitely add some spice to the Toyota lineup.

Source: Automotive news

[222Max]

I, for one, wish this wouldn't happen.

[cardriver]

^^^

[UofMG35]

What percent stake does GM have in Subaru?

I though they had a majority share.

In that case, why would GM sell their stake to Toyota, especially if it meant a dent in their global market share...

[robertp]

It should't really matter, as long as Toyota stays out of the design/engineering bits.

what Subaru should do is disperse a large chunk of stock to their employees, as options or whatever, to buffer against this.

[idrive]

I dont see anything good coming from this...I dont find anything toyota designs appealing any level except the IS and the potential supra/super car. Engineering wise i feel subaru is better and if toyota was to ever put a traditional inline 4 cylinder in a soobie I would march against them.

The only trade off would be more affordable soobies maybe? and maybe some soobie one way only trickle down tech to toyota.

[M_TYPE_X]

AWD Camerygons in da house, huh, huh huh
AWD Camerygons in da house, hua, hwa hwa

[Rice_N_motioN]

Yayy!!:(
Maybe now I can get a AWD Subaru Yaris, or maybe a really cool Scion WRX with over 200 parts I can use to personalize my ride with!

it would be really nice if Nissan and Subaru united again...

[SukairainKupe]

Well, Toyota could easily boost the sales of Subaru models by redesign them to look less hideous.

[camber]

What percent stake does GM have in Subaru?

I though they had a majority share.

In that case, why would GM sell their stake to Toyota, especially if it meant a dent in their global market share...

0%

GM never owned a majority share of Subaru. Subaru was never owned by GM.

Subaru could use the purchasing power with suppliers that Toyota offers.

I'm not sure what Toyota would make of Subaru. Subaru actually makes cars that have personality and that are *gasp* fun to drive.

[222Max]

double post.

[222Max]

I think it was or is Isuzu that GM has a stake in.

[robertp]

hmm...I can see Isuzu doing good things. In fact, I think it'd be good for both companies. Toyota would just castrate whatever they come across. Throw a dress on it, and market it to the current scion/GTI owners...done.

[idrive]

gm does own a portion of fuji though which owns subaru

[camber]

gm does own a portion of fuji though which owns subaru

Nope... GM sold it's entire 20.1%. Toyota bought I significant chunk of that 20.1%.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2005/nf2005105_5508_db039.htm

[M_TYPE_X]

http://www.chicagoautoshow.com floorplan shows: no Isuzu at this month's 2007 event. Joe Isuzu is ... not sorely missed. :rolleyes:

gm does own a portion of fuji though which owns subaru
Oh the industry is moving too fast for me "Mr First Driver," I wanna jump off ! :caged: :rolleyes:

sorry about dat eye roll, I really miss the smirky graemlin...

[CX35]

Nope... GM sold it's entire 20.1%. Toyota bought I significant chunk of that 20.1%.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2005/nf2005105_5508_db039.htm

Yeap, nor does GM own any stakes of Isuzu or Suzuki anymore for that matter. And ALL of these companies are doing good... Suzuki bought themselves back and sell better than Honda in their home market and Isuzu makes dough with their diesel engines, commercial trucks, and their D-Max pickup in other countries. Oh yeah and Toyota just "partnered" up with Isuzu.

I don't think Toyota would buy Subaru and make them boring... they're not going to make Subarus a bunch of Toyotas and compete with themselves. I would just expect more AWD Toyota's and cheaper Subarus since Toyota has good suppliers.

[Chip_Letzgus]

someone say isuzu?

[Irie_eyes]

Subaru actually makes cars that have personality and that are *gasp* fun to drive.

no kidding

[SimpleS14]

I, for one, wish this wouldn't happen.

I completely agree with you.

Well, Toyota could easily boost the sales of Subaru models by redesign them to look less hideous.

Yea...by turning them into a bland company....which I really don't want to see.

[crashdt]

So if gm doesnt own any of subaru how is is the subaru engine in one of the saabs going to stay there?

Mechanically, our test 9-2X Aero is nearly identical to a WRX. It features the same 227-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four, five-speed manual, and all-wheel-drive system as the Subie, but it attacks the road with quicker steering and a retuned suspension. Saab stiffened the steering-gear mounting for better feedback and response, and on the Aero, pitched the WRX’s standard rack in favor of the rally-bred STi’s, which lowers the ratio from 16.5:1 to 15.0:1. The Subaru’s strut suspension was reworked with firmer springs, softer dampers, 10mm-shorter rear bump stops, and stiffer front control-arm bushings. In addition, 1.8mm of toe-in was dialed into the front wheels for better on-center feel and straight-line stability.

And thats right from car and driver.

[SimpleS14]

So if gm doesnt own any of subaru how is is the subaru engine in one of the saabs going to stay there?

Buy the powertrain or Subby licenses the technology to GM....i think.

[camber]

So if gm doesnt own any of subaru how is is the subaru engine in one of the saabs going to stay there?

Ummm... I don't believe there are making anymore Saab 9-2X's anymore production ended in 2006. I believe that GM had the 9-2's built along side the Impreza's in Japan. It was more like a joint venture between GM and Subaru.

It's not really uncommon Nissan licensing most of the parts for the Altima hybrid from Toyota. DCX has joint engine venture with Mitsu and Hyundai....

[WhereHaveYouBeen]

I'm not sure what Toyota would make of Subaru. Subaru actually makes cars that have personality and that are *gasp* fun to drive.
It will be a sad day when they destroy the subies.

Maybe this is a learning venture for toyota. They need to discover how to give a car character and feel. Their stubbornness and pride prevent them from admitting guilt (cars without character and feel) so maybe they can use subaru to say to the consumer "hey we make a most honorable 100% fun driving automobeer! You buy now! We dont want no truhburr! We no pun b-itch!"