Subaru is now the automotive division of Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, which was created by a merger of several different companies in 1953. The company can be considered as having begun in 1917 as the Aircraft Research Laboratory, specialising in Aircraft and going through several name changes before reaching its current incarnation.

By the 1960s Subaru (like several other Japanese manufacturers) was developing a new all-wheel drive system - which differs from four-wheel drive in that all wheels are used all the time. Initial problems were overcome by employing technology used in the company’s aircraft design in the form of a horizontally opposed engine. This ensured a good balance was maintained and all current Subaru models now feature it.

The brand has also sought to improve its vehicles through participation in rally events and has earned a reputation as one of the World Rally Championship’s leading manufacturers. After joining the event in 1990 Subaru saw significant success in the Group N category before winning the first of three consecutive Manufacturers’ Championships in 1995.

Over the years various manufacturers have purchased stakes in Fuji Heavy Industries in order to bring Subaru cars into their ranges, with Nissan first acquiring 20% in the mid 1980s. This was sold to General Motors in 1999 in a bid by the American company to establish itself worldwide. Currently Toyota owns 8.7% and General Motors intends to sell the remainder of its shares on the open market.

EuroNCAP Safety Ratings for Subaru cars
The European New Car Assessment Programme produces reports on the safety of vehicles based on the results of several crash tests. As well as measuring how the car will hold up in a crash the risk to a pedestrian struck by the car is assessed. The star ratings (maximum 5) of key Subaru models are shown below.