FHI Started Production of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86
- Line-off ceremony took place at the Subaru Main Plant in Japan -

Tokyo, March 16, 2012 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, announced that it held a line-off ceremony at Subaru's Gunma Main Plant (Ota-city, Gunma Prefecture, Japan) with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) President Akio Toyoda and honored guests in attendance, in commemoration of the production start of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86.

FHI and TMC first agreed on business collaboration in October 2005. After the companies expanded their cooperative ties with new agreements related to development and production in April 2008, they then began four years of development. The completion of this joint-development product also marks a great achievement of the alliance between FHI and TMC.

At the ceremony, TMC President Akio Toyoda said, "I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the ceaseless efforts of all FHI people and staff who were involved in the development, production and preparations for both models. The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 not have been successfully developed without collaboration between FHI and TMC. We started the alliance for mutual growth in 2005. Now I'm delighted to see this moment that our alliance surely bore fruit."

FHI President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, after extending his gratitude to all participants at the ceremony, said, "the car symbolizes our corporate strategy in two significant aspects: good progress of our alliances; and advancement of our "select and focus" approach. The start of production today made a huge step for us, but it is not our goal. By constantly refining both models, TMC and FHI hope to nourish each model to be loved by customers all over the world for a long time to come."

Subaru Gunma Main Plant, where minicars were previously manufactured, was recently renewed for the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 production. FHI plans to produce the Impreza at the same plant by March 2013.

FHI offers "Enjoyment and Peace of Mind" to its customers through the Subaru brand statement "Confidence in Motion" and its consistent approach to "Engineering excellence".

Source [Subaru]

HD

 

Awesome!! Can't wait to see them on the roads!

 

Will be set at a great price I believe! Very good looking car!

 

I'm blown away at their partnership. Had no idea.... hmmmmm

 

Hi,

I'm very excited to see one in the flesh. Unfortunately, when the final pricing in Australia comes out it will just be another case of taxes destroying the idea of a cheap sports car.

They'll probably be $60K+ over here.

Cheers,
Nik

 

Maybe closer to 50k. I reckon it will be aimed at the Wrx/Golf Gti price range.

 

Hi,

I'm an absolute Pleides man, through and through, but it's not worth $50K. I still think you'll be nudging $60K pretty quickly.

Cheers,
Nik

 

Hi,

Subaru BRZ STI Under Development: Report

2013 Subaru BRZ Quadruples Initial Sales Target In Japan

All appears to be going to plan, eh?

Cheers,
Nik

 

I love the BRZ. The Toyota not so much. I read rumours today that because of the great sales number of the BRZ they are gonna hurry up with producing an STi version with around 250 hp Looking forward!!

 

Hi,

2012 MAX ORIDO D1GP NEW MACHINE TOYOTA V8 86 SHAKEDOWN - YouTube

Cheers,
Nik