Subaru history
Subaru’s history can be traced back to 1950 when Fuji Sangyo Co., Ltd.. That is when the aircraft manufacturing company was divided into 12 companies, according to Japan’s corporate credit rearrangement law.
Investments from five of these companies led to the founding of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI) in July 1953. Said companies, namely Fuji Kogyo, Fuji Jidosha, Omiya Fuji Kogyo, Utsunomiya Sharyo, and Tokyo Fuji Sangyo, merged with FHI two years later.
Car dealership
Subaru’s first model is born.
In February 1954, FHI, which had been intended to advance into the automobile industry for some time, released a 4-seat prototype passenger vehicle named P-1. The P-1 used a 4-cycle OHV engine and was renamed the Subaru 1500 the following year.
The Subaru 1500 acted as the foundation for the development of the Subaru 360 (1958) and the Subaru 1000 (1966).
subaru and the uk
Subaru's history in the UK market began in 1976, with the brand's official distributor, International Motors Ltd (IML), starting imports that year. Subaru has remained a niche but highly respected brand in the UK, known for its permanent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, Boxer engines, and a strong association with the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Key Milestones in the UK
1970s: Subaru officially entered the UK market in 1976. The first model of note was the Leone, which was available as a saloon, coupe, and estate, and notably introduced part-time AWD to its estate version. The practical, AWD pickup known as the BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) also launched in 1978.
1980s: The brand expanded its lineup with models like the compact Justy in 1988, which also offered an AWD system. The Legacy was launched in 1989, quickly becoming one of Subaru's most popular models and cementing the brand's reputation for reliable, capable vehicles, particularly among rural users.
1990s (The Rally Era): The 1990s were a "golden era" for Subaru in the UK, largely due to its immense success in the WRC.
The Impreza, launched in 1992 as the replacement for the Leone, became an icon.
British rally drivers Colin McRae achieved significant WRC victories with the Legacy and then the Impreza, leading to WRC constructors' championships from 1995 to 1997.
Special editions like the Impreza "Series McRae" (1995) and wr1 in (2004)were launched in the UK, catering to a passionate performance car market.
The Outback (an early crossover SUV derivative of the Legacy) and the compact SUV Foresterwere also introduced in 1994 and 1997 respectively, diversifying the range and proving highly popular in the UK's countryside communities.
2000s to Present: After the rallying peak, Subaru's UK sales became more niche, but the brand maintained a loyal following due to its core strengths of safety, reliability, and all-weather capability.
2010: While the Impreza is no longer available in the UK, the Subaru performance saloon lives on as the WRX STI is launched on British roads...
2010: ...and later in the year Tommi Mäkinen drives the WRX STI around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7min 55sec – a lap record for a four-door saloon which still stands today.
2011: The All-Wheel Drive WRX STI smashes another high-profile lap record, as British rally champion Mark Higgins sets a time of 19min 37sec around the Isle of Man TT course – a new course record for a car.
The XV (now called the Crosstrek) compact crossover was introduced in 2012
More recent additions to the UK market include the BRZ sports car and the all-electric SolterraSUV, launched as the brand moves into the electric age.
In 2024, Subaru UK celebrated the import of its 250,000th vehicle since 1976, highlighting its enduring, albeit modest in volume, presence in the market.
Today, Subaru UK focuses primarily on a range of SUVs (Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and SolterraEV) that continue to offer standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and advanced safety features like EyeSight driver-assist technology.
There is a couple of new electric cars coming this year , watch the blog for more details ..
