New Laws Pave the Way for Toyota to Acquire Subaru

**GZA** · 02-05-2007, 04:19 PM

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/i...cquire-subaru/

Quote:

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 normally staid Toyota lineup.

Wonder what this could mean for the future of Subaru...
Looks like Toyota is gonna own the whole industry in a few years.

lackskill · 02-05-2007, 04:22 PM

The all new 09 Subaru Camry?

scubadiver424 · 02-05-2007, 04:22 PM

wow, Yeah that is a good question!

scubadiver424 · 02-05-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lackskill

The all new 09 Subaru Camry?

lackskill · 02-05-2007, 04:24 PM

Toyota has been a boring car maker for a while now. This doesnt excite me very much.

SubyFi · 02-05-2007, 04:30 PM

How about a turbo hybrid STI?

lackskill · 02-05-2007, 04:31 PM

They dont need a controlling stake in Subaru to incorporate Subaru tech into their vehicles. GM had the same stake that Toyota now holds and look at the 9-2x. If they want a controlling stake in Subaru its because they think they have something to better the subaru line (think hybrid)...

lackskill · 02-05-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubyFi

How about a turbo hybrid STI?

I like my car to weigh less than 3500lbs dry.

Real Deal · 02-05-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamjordan23

I think it might affect Toyotas cars more than Subarus. They might start incorporating AWD into Toyotas lineup. And other features of Subaru. Imagine that a 400+hp AWD Supra.

Subaru might get help from Toyota in the interior luxury aspect. Thats all I can see that would happen from this.

This can only mean a "Toyota Supraru WRX STI"

But seriously, it probably does mean AWD Toyotas. The merger could possibly wipe the Subaru name off the face of the earth. Toyota isn't a bad company, but do they have to own everything?

STI_Mike · 02-05-2007, 04:42 PM

intersting.

lackskill · 02-05-2007, 04:42 PM

This could also be Toyota's way of flogging the perverbial mule and trying to overtake GM to be the #1 selling automaker.

mofoSTI · 02-05-2007, 06:26 PM

AWD supra with twin turbo perrin H6.

///M Power · 02-05-2007, 06:55 PM

this could be good or bad.....only time will tell

emanteno · 02-06-2007, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M Power

this could be good or bad.....only time will tell

If Toyota influences Subaru, it will be bad.

If Subaru influences Toyota, it may be good. If Toyota leaves the Subaru engineers in charge, and adds resources ($$$), it could be very good.

skubv8 · 02-06-2007, 07:13 AM

AWD Lexus STi lol

02-06-2007, 07:13 AM	#15
skubv8 394/600 Location: The Malaise Peninsular Posts: 2,384 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	AWD Lexus STi lol This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

02-05-2007, 04:22 PM	#2
lackskill Moderator Car: 05 Ram 3500 CTD Fav Mod: Majin Posts: 14,619 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	The all new 09 Subaru Camry?

02-05-2007, 04:22 PM	#3
scubadiver424 S204 Racer Car: 06 WRB GOLD STI Fav Mod: NRA Sticker Location: US of A Posts: 3,623 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (8)	wow, Yeah that is a good question!

02-05-2007, 04:24 PM	#5
lackskill Moderator Car: 05 Ram 3500 CTD Fav Mod: Majin Posts: 14,619 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Toyota has been a boring car maker for a while now. This doesnt excite me very much.

02-05-2007, 04:30 PM	#6
SubyFi Spec C Club Car: '05 STi in OBP Fav Mod: coilovers & www.hpdedriver.com Location: L.A. (SFV), CA Posts: 1,172 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (4)	How about a turbo hybrid STI?

02-05-2007, 04:31 PM	#7
lackskill Moderator Car: 05 Ram 3500 CTD Fav Mod: Majin Posts: 14,619 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	They dont need a controlling stake in Subaru to incorporate Subaru tech into their vehicles. GM had the same stake that Toyota now holds and look at the 9-2x. If they want a controlling stake in Subaru its because they think they have something to better the subaru line (think hybrid)...

02-05-2007, 04:42 PM	#10
STI_Mike S204 Racer Car: 05 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Laguna Niguel,Ca Posts: 2,920 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	intersting.

02-05-2007, 06:26 PM	#12
mofoSTI Spec C Club Car: 08 STI,sr20det 510 Fav Mod: boob job for wife Location: springtuckey, OR Posts: 2,441 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	AWD supra with twin turbo perrin H6.

02-05-2007, 06:55 PM	#13
///M Power Ultra Noob Mod Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: 22k complete reconstruction Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,585 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	this could be good or bad.....only time will tell