Is Subaru owned by Toyota now?
Subaru is not owned by Toyota. Toyota holds a significant minority stake in Subaru’s parent company, roughly around 20%, making Toyota the largest single shareholder but not the owner or a majority controller.
Subaru Corporation, the parent company behind the Subaru brand, remains independently managed with its own board and strategic direction. The relationship with Toyota is best understood as a long-standing strategic partnership built on cross-shareholding and collaborative product development, rather than a traditional parent-subsidiary arrangement.
Ownership and Governance
Key facts about who controls Subaru and how Toyota fits into the picture:
- Toyota has been a major investor in Subaru's parent company since the late 2000s, giving it a substantial minority stake.
- The stake is around 20%, making Toyota the largest single shareholder, but it does not constitute a majority ownership.
- Subaru Corporation maintains independent governance, branding, and strategic decisions separate from Toyota.
In summary, cross-ownership provides Toyota influence and collaborative benefits without turning Subaru into a Toyota subsidiary.
History and Scope of Collaboration
How the relationship has evolved and what it covers today:
- Cross-ownership began in the late 2000s and has evolved into a formal strategic partnership.
- Subaru Corporation rebranded from Fuji Heavy Industries to Subaru Corporation in 2017, reflecting a more focused brand identity while maintaining independence.
- The two companies have collaborated on shared platforms, engineering efforts, and technology development, including performance-oriented models and safety initiatives.
Despite the close ties, Subaru remains independently managed, with Toyota acting as a major shareholder and collaborator rather than the owner.
Implications for Products and Consumers
What the ownership structure means for vehicles and the market:
- Shared technology and engineering resources, including all-wheel-drive systems, safety technologies, and hybrid or future powertrains.
- Joint development on specific models and platforms, such as collaborative sports cars and future propulsion architectures.
- Strategic supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies that can benefit both brands without unifying them under a single corporate banner.
For buyers, this translates to continued Subaru branding and autonomy in product decisions, while benefiting from Toyota’s scale and technical capabilities through collaboration.
Summary
Subaru is not owned by Toyota, but Toyota is a major minority shareholder in Subaru Corporation. The two companies maintain a long-running strategic partnership that blends independent brand management with collaborative development across technologies and platforms. Subaru remains an independent automaker with its own governance, while Toyota provides influence through its stake and joint initiatives.
