Who is Subaru owned by?
Subaru is owned by Subaru Corporation, the Japanese automaker formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries. It is a publicly traded company with a broad ownership base, and it maintains a strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation. In practice, Subaru is owned by its corporate parent, not by a single private owner.
Understanding Subaru's ownership structure
Subaru's corporate setup centers on a parent company that oversees the Subaru brand and related subsidiaries. The most prominent components are described below.
Key elements of Subaru's ownership and corporate structure include:
- Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries) — the parent company that owns and manages the Subaru brand and its global operations
- Subaru of America, Inc. — the U.S. importer and distributor, wholly owned by Subaru Corporation
- Toyota Motor Corporation — a strategic partner with a minority stake in Subaru Corporation and a history of collaboration on technology and model development (e.g., BRZ/86)
- Public ownership — Subaru Corporation is publicly traded in Japan, with ownership spread among institutional and individual investors
In summary, Subaru is not controlled by a single private owner. Its operations are guided by the publicly traded parent company, with a major strategic alliance with Toyota and a dedicated U.S. subsidiary to handle market activities.
Historical context
The Subaru brand traces its roots to Fuji Heavy Industries, formed in 1953 through the merger of five Japanese companies. The name Subaru, and its six-star logo representing the Pleiades star cluster, became associated with the automaker as it expanded into cars in the 1950s and 1960s. In 2017, the parent company adopted the name Subaru Corporation to align with the automotive brand and global identity.
Partnership with Toyota
Subaru and Toyota have pursued a long-running strategic partnership, sharing technology, platforms, and joint development on certain models. Toyota owns a minority stake in Subaru Corporation, and the two companies collaborate on projects such as sports cars and electrified vehicles. This relationship complements Subaru's engineering independence while enabling broader scale and technology sharing.
Impact on customers and markets
For customers, Subaru's ownership structure translates into a consistent brand experience, a global dealer network, and a product lineup shaped by Subaru Corporation's strategy and its alliance with Toyota. In the United States, Subaru of America continues to operate as the importer and distributor under the Subaru Corporation umbrella.
Summary
Subaru is owned by Subaru Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese automaker formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries. The brand is supported by a U.S. subsidiary, Subaru of America, and benefits from a strategic partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation. Ownership is distributed among investors rather than held by a single owner, while the collaboration with Toyota helps Subaru pursue advanced technology and broader market reach.
