How Subaru Became an Automotive Paragon
Subaru didn't become the paradigm of automotive innovation overnight. It took years of cultivating an image and direction, powered by some of the most intelligent designers and engineers in the industry. That diligence has paid dividends because today, Subaru is recognized for its performance, luxury, and technology. By identifying needs and predicting trends, Subaru has always stayed ahead, inviting other manufacturers to try and keep up. The result: a company built on hunting down success and invention. This automaker has never just made cars that are more advanced, it's also built machines that are crafted around the driving experience. With its fair share of roots in the motorsport world, Subaru understands what it takes to make a vehicle perform well, under any conditions.
From Humble Beginnings
The history of Subaru goes back to the early 1950s and a company called Fuji Heavy Industries. FHI was initially involved in the manufacturing of airplanes and was looking to expand into the automotive space. Led by then-CEO Kenji Kita, FHI created Subaru, named after the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster. The very first automobile to bear the famous Subaru star logo (inspired by the Pleiades stars) was the 1500, also known as the P-1.
Subaru’s presence in the United States began in 1968 with the formation of Subaru of America by entrepreneurs Harvey Lamm and Malcolm Bricklin. The first Subaru model to be sold in the States? The 360, a two-stroke engine city car. And while the 360 was a breakthrough for Subaru and the US market, it was the classic Subaru BRAT that truly helped establish the brand in America. Fun fact: The name ‘BRAT’ is actually an acronym that stands for ‘Bi-drive Recreation All-Terrain Transporter.’
One of the trademarks of any current Subaru vehicle—and typically the very first thing people think of when they hear the Subaru name—is all-wheel-drive. It was the Subaru DL/GL Wagon (known as the Leone internationally) to first feature AWD back in 1972. Over the years that technology has evolved, as well as the on-road performance ethos of many Subaru models, and the purest example of Subaru’s DNA can be found in the WRX STI Type RA. This limited-edition model ratcheted up the performance on the already incredibly capable STI, added functional aerodynamic elements, increased horsepower, and improved handling, making it the ultimate performer from this Japanese brand.
From the Track to the Street
Racing is almost as synonymous with Subaru as all-wheel-drive and the company’s famous shade of blue. Since the early 1960s, Subaru racecars have crushed street circuits, rally courses, and racetracks all over the world. The form of motorsports Subaru is probably most associated with is Rallying; Subaru has been monstering rally circuits since 1973 when the first Subaru rally car, a Leone 4WD, took part in the Southern Cross Rally in Australia.
The year 1990 saw Subaru dedicate itself completely to the World Rally Championship and score its first victory. In the mid- to late-1990s, Subaru won multiple World Rally titles with legends like the late Colin McRae at the wheel. Subaru has also branched out into road racing and secured back to back victories in its class at the grueling Nürburgring 24-hour race.
Subaru is still committed to changing the automotive industry, and it remains a leader in efficiency, performance, and luxury. Visit Herb Gordon Subaru at 3161 Automobile Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20904 or contact our sales staff online today and let us show you how the rich history of Subaru has helped this brand generate some of the best vehicles on the market today.
Image Credit: Subaru