Toyota now owns 20% of Subaru

MANILA: It all began in 2005 with an 8.7% share of Subaru, up to 16.5% in 2008. Now, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) owns 20% of Subaru Corporation.

TMC has had a long history of partnering with its domestic counterparts instead of looking overseas. It owns Daihatsu, is the principal of Hino, has a 5% stake in Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda, in turn, has a 0.25% stake in TMC), has a partnership with Suzuki to develop new vehicle technologies while also having a 4.94% stake in the company, has a 5% stake in Yamaha Motor Company and, probably its only foreign investment, it owns 3% of Tesla.

Its stake entails both companies working together to fast-track research and development of cutting-edge auto technology, not excluding autonomous driving and electrification.

"In this once-in-a-century period of profound transformation, by strengthening their bonds and aligning their capabilities, Toyota and Subaru aim to make ever-better cars," Toyota said in a statement.

Expect Subaru to benefit from Toyota’s hybrid expertise while Toyota may take advantage of Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

“To supplement the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars already in its lineup, Subaru plans to develop a so-called “strong hybrid” vehicle using Toyota technology and intended to debut later in the decade. It is also developing an all-battery electric car with Toyota for release around the same time,” said Subaru president Tomomi Nakamura.

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