What was Subarus first car?
The first production car to bear the Subaru name was the Subaru 360, launched in 1958 by Fuji Heavy Industries.
Subaru's origins lie in postwar Japan, where the company that would become Fuji Heavy Industries began experimenting with small-car designs. Before the 360, several prototypes—such as the P-1 in the mid-1950s and the Subaru 1500 program—helped shape the brand, but it was the 360 that marked Subaru’s formal entry into mass-market automotive production and set the course for its emphasis on practical, compact cars.
First production model: Subaru 360
The Subaru 360 was a tiny kei-class car with a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Built to meet Japan’s kei-car regulations of the era, it offered seating for up to four in a compact two-door body and used a small engine designed for economical city driving. The model became iconic for introducing Subaru to a broad consumer audience and establishing the brand's early focus on small, efficient vehicles.
Specifications and design
In keeping with kei-car requirements, the 360 employed a lightweight, simple structure with an air-cooled engine. Its goal was affordability, easy maintenance, and approachable handling, which helped Subaru grow its domestic market presence in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Key facts about the Subaru 360 are summarized below.
- Engine: small 360cc displacement, typically a two-stroke powerplant (air-cooled)
- Drivetrain: rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Layout: two-door body with seating for four
- Production: introduced in 1958 as Subaru’s first mass-produced model; continued through updates into the 1960s
As production of the 360 continued, Subaru refined its approach to small, practical automobiles and began laying the groundwork for a broader lineup that would carry the brand internationally.
Prototype era and context
Prior to the 360, Subaru’s early efforts included the P-1 concept in 1954 and the Subaru 1500 project, both of which remained on the drawing board rather than reaching mass production. These early concepts nonetheless informed Subaru’s engineering direction and underscored the company's pivot from postwar industrial ventures toward consumer automobiles.
Legacy and impact
The introduction of the 360 helped Subaru establish its reputation for economical, compact cars. The model’s success enabled further development of a family of small vehicles that would define Subaru’s identity for decades to come.
Summary
What does Subaru mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, Subaru means "unite," "to govern," or "gather together". It is also the Japanese name for the Pleiades, a star cluster in the Taurus constellation. The company's name and logo have a double meaning, referencing both the Pleiades star cluster and the five companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries (the parent company of Subaru).
- "Unite": This meaning reflects the merger of five companies in 1953 to form Fuji Heavy Industries, which is the parent company of Subaru.
- "Pleiades": The Subaru logo features six stars, representing the six companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries, with the sixth star representing the company itself.
- Star cluster: The Pleiades star cluster is also called Subaru in Japan, and the company's logo is a representation of this cluster.
What are the old Subaru models?
Old Subaru models include the early 360, 1000, and FF-1, the popular Leone/Loyale, and the distinctive XT and SVX coupes. The company also produced notable 4WD models like the Leone wagon and the BRAT, a unique pickup truck with rear-facing seats. Later "modern classic" models include the first-generation Legacy and the Impreza WRX.
Early models
- Subaru 360 (1958–1971): Subaru's first mass-produced car, known for being an inexpensive, distinctive economy car.
- Subaru 1000 (1966–1969): The first front-wheel-drive car from Japan and the first Subaru to be sold in the U.S.
- FF-1 (1969–1973): A front-wheel-drive car that replaced the 1000 and was followed by the Leone series.
1970s and 1980s models
- Leone/Loyale (1971–1994): A popular compact car that was marketed as the Leone in other parts of the world. It was also the car of choice for the U.S. Ski Team and introduced on-demand 4WD for the first time in 1975.
- BRAT (1978–1994): A small, 4WD "Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter" with two rear-facing seats in the bed.
- XT / Alcyone XT (1985–1991): A sporty coupe known for its aerodynamic, futuristic design and features like a digital instrument cluster and an ECU.
1990s and 2000s models
- Legacy (1989–Present): A popular wagon and sedan that replaced the Loyale and became the foundation for later models like the Outback.
- SVX / Alcyone SVX (1991–1996): A unique, luxury sports coupe with a distinctive "window within a window" design and a 3.3L flat-six engine.
- Impreza (1992–Present): Introduced as a new compact car and later became famous in its WRX and WRX STI performance versions.
- Forester (1997–Present): Introduced as a compact SUV that combined the benefits of a wagon with the capability of an SUV.
- Baja (2003–2006): A multi-purpose vehicle with a crew cab and a small truck bed, built on the Outback platform.
What was the first Subaru car?
Subaru 1500
In a very short time, an automotive division emerged that became known as "Subaru," a name that means "Unite." The very first Subaru was launched in 1954. The first model was turbocharged and was initially called the P-1, a name changed later to the Subaru 1500.
Is Subaru still owned by Toyota?
No, Toyota does not own Subaru outright, but it is the largest shareholder with a stake of just over 20%. While Toyota holds a significant stake and the companies collaborate, Subaru remains an independently operated company.
- Ownership stake: Toyota holds a substantial minority stake of just over 20% in Subaru Corporation.
- Collaboration: The companies have a close partnership that includes co-developing vehicles like the BRZ/GR86, sharing hybrid technology, and manufacturing assistance.
- Independent operation: Despite the ownership and collaboration, Subaru is not a subsidiary of Toyota and continues to operate independently.
