[SubaruFlamingo]

Toyota's world domination of boring... great.

This has so much potential... maybe the STI boys can talk some sense into Toyota in terms of something stylish that is fun to drive.

[nandanrp]

Subarus are going to become more boring...awesome...

The domestic companies are screwed

(Yes, I know lots of you hate domestic cars, but our domestic car companies are/were a big part of the United States economy and this is not good news as far as I'm concerned)

[Jaws]

I don't think this will make Subaru cars more boring. Subaru already has it's niche in AWD, versatile cars, so that will be safe.

Toyota has said they do not plan on making a sports car, and sporty cars in general (this is why they axed the Celica), as it doesn't fit their company goal right now. So perhaps they will view Subaru as their performance division, which would be a good thing.

[Kaos]

The new performance division of Toyota/Subaru: STiTRD.

[VSGTS14]

good news, toyota pwns.

[piker28]

ha kinda funny since the dealer i work at (toyota) already owns the subaru dealer thats right next to us

so it has begun!! ha although subaru is considered our red headed step child

[Conekiller13]

I think it reflects the U.S. auto industry from 25 years ago. The U.S. industry riding a wave of global domination started to design and build their product by bottom line committee engineering. The result boring cars with no passion and a pension for falling apart. Enter Japanese auto makers with more flair, higher quality and lower prices. Fast forward 25 years and that lack of quality and excitement has put the U.S. auto industry in a panic as You can barely give away an American car based on 80's reputation. Now the Japanese market is the premium price lack of excitement brands trying to increase bottom dollar and increase world domination. The result? Toyota Camry well known for the bench mark of quality is getting blasted by current magazine editors for cheap interiors, loose fitting parts and large panel gaps. Recent comparison test have the Saturn Aura and mid size Kia beating the Camry.

I would say the acquisition of Fuji industries is mostly a ploy to increase measured sales so Toyota can "claim" #1 status.

I think We can look to the Korean cars to become the next big thing in quality and price as the Chinese cars are being figured out. The U.S. market should take after Europe's brands and focus on quality over price and quantity. But soon after that Korea's cars will slip and China will become the best new thing. After that I would bet India's car market will rise.

All in all the worst thing I can see Toyota doing with Subaru is cutting costs by cutting quality. Hopefully they just collect the sales numbers and call it good.

[Conekiller13]

From autoweek.cm

.......................
Aura is a clear winner in my book. The interior is well done, and the two-tone leather looks great. Neither car is really sporty, but the Camry feels bigger and less nimble than the Aura. Go drive both, and I bet most will bring the Saturn home. PHIL FLORADAY

I found the Aura more surefooted, with superior steering response and sportier powertrain and suspension. The interior often tips the scales to Aura, but to me the Saturn’s trump card lies in details like the double-sealed trunk. When little separates you from the competition, it’s the little things that count. BOB GRITZINGER

I would go for the Aura. At $26,919, it looks better than a Camry that costs more. Plus, I like the ride and handling from its Opel Vectra-based chassis. WES RAYNAL

Camry will sell more despite our preference for the Aura because Toyota has the proven formula: a roomier cabin, strong performance (brakes matter) and features like a rear seat armrest and cabin air filter. Its extra cost can be offset by fuel economy and a record of reliability. Saturn’s stunner merits Car of the Year, but the evolved Camry builds on Toyota’s enormous strength. KEVIN A. WILSON
.................

[BigRigger]

Toyota is not stupid. You dont become the #2 producer of cars in the world by a fluke. They realise that subaru has its niche in the market and do very well. If the do buy them out, they may tweek a thing or two (hopefully interiors) but wont totally screw them up. If they were making good profits before, leave them alone and they will make good profits after.

Toyota does have a long racing heritage, and now are going into the deep drak depths of NASCAR. And they (Micheal Waltrip) started cheating even before the first race. (Stupid southern inbread)

All in all, i think this could be a very good thing for both parties if they cooperate and stay out of eachothers way.

Keep on Riggin

[Pitcherman]

I don't like the idea just because Subaru is on the verge of boring anyway. It wouldn't take much for Toyota to axe the WRX (if they had enough pull over Subaru) and make Subaru just as mundain as Toyota.

[stretch]

Toyota is boring? No, Toyota is profitable. They give people what they want: boring appliance vehicles. They sell. Making money is smart. Blame consumers for the numbness of Toyota vehicles.

When the market demands sporty cars, Toyota can deliver. The MR2 is and was a masterpiece, and it speaks volumes that Toyota had the balls to sell a low-cost mid-engine turbocharged car in America.

[ACHAHockey]

Originally Posted by Kaos

The new performance division of Toyota/Subaru: STiTRD.

or theyll shorten it and itll be TiRD

[jollib]

+1 for the AWD TURBO Hybrid 50mpg 2000lb. Supreza STRi (Subaru Toyota Racing International). they are already making camrys in subaru plants right. maybe they need the space. all i know is that im a toyota guy at heart that happened to buy a subaru because toyota has no new cars that appeal to me right now in the US. but wouldnt that be great, both solid japanese automakers. both have good things to bring to the table.

[jaydow11]

Buy Fuji HI shares!!!

Looks like Toyota already has the biggest stake in Subaru!

http://ir.fhi.co.jp/english/share_info/share.html

[lackskill]

Thats just of publicly traded shares, look at the total shares vs# of issued shares.