The rumored Toyota and Subaru "new deal" has been announced, with Toyota increasing their ownership of FHI from 8.7 percent to 16.5 percent. Also part of the package is the announcement that Daihatsu will be involved.
The Daihatsu tie-in is somewhat of a surprise, but it really shouldn't be. They've been involved with Toyota for quite some time, and have recently supplied Subaru with a new 1.3L Justy for the European market...
Here's FHI's press release.
Here's AutoObserver's take: Toyota, Daihatsu and Subaru Join Forces on Product Development, Vehicle Sharing
Here's AutoObserver's take: Toyota, Daihatsu and Subaru Join Forces on Product Development, Vehicle Sharing
ateixeira says:
10:43 AM, 04/10/08
Late 2011 means the Celica/Subaru coupe will probably be a 2012 model.
They do mention the idea to to keep Subaru "distinctive" so hopefully they'll engineer AWD in to that platform.
ateixeira says:
10:48 AM, 04/10/08
This part is new to me:
"Toyota will begin providing a compact car that the companies didn’t name to Fuji by the end of 2010 as a way to expand Fuji’s product portfolio"
Toyota Yaris, perhaps?
I hope not. :-(
estreka says:
01:14 PM, 04/11/08
Daihatsu has been a Toyota subsidiary since 1999. They've been suffering shrinking sales for many years. The last Daihatsu I ever saw was owned by the Forestry Service back in 1996 (Blue Mesa, CO).
thefuryinside says:
09:12 PM, 04/13/08
Perhaps the Next Gen Scion tC and/or celica?
... a big "what if" but could be the Supra we've been promised? I also wonder if this will have anything to do with the new lexus LF-A or the new entry level Lexus sports car that will slot below the IS series. At any rate, Toyota is serious about improving their boring persona that's for sure.