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Subaru Viziv-7 Concept is AWD done XXL

Subaru is an all-wheel-drive brand. Everything in its range, BRZ aside, sends its power to the road through all four wheels. But while you can get some sedans and a few high-riding wagons (ostensibly considered CUVs) from the Japanese brand, the company hasn't done an SUV since the Tribeca went out of production. That's going to change soon. The Subaru Viziv-7 SUV Concept previews such a change, and it's what happens if you stylistically embiggen the new Impreza Hatchback, raise the suspension significantly, and apply all sorts of concept car tinsel. Oh, and it looks good, based on the couple images Subaru distributed ahead of the car's LA debut. But while we can't show you finer details, we do have a good idea of what kind of vehicle is coming down the Subaru pipeline. View 14 Photos As the name suggests, the Viziv-7 has room for seven passengers spread across three rows of seats. That makes sense – Fuji Heavy Industry's Corporate Executive Vice President Takeshi Tachimori did say "the next three-row from Subaru will be the biggest Subaru vehicle ever." The wheelbase is 117.7 inches long while the overall vehicle measures 204.7 inches in length. If that sounds huge, it is – the Viziv-7's has 1.7 more space between the axles and is 0.8 inches longer than a Chevrolet Tahoe, which is only 0.6 inches wider and 2.4 inches taller. This is a big Subaru. But that's all we know for certain. Subaru hasn't mentioned anything about powertrains, or when a production version will follow. Naturally, we'll try to fill in the many blanks surrounding the Viziv-7 as soon as possible. Related Video: Related Gallery Subaru Viziv-7 SUV Concept News Source: SubaruImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog LA Auto Show Subaru SUV Videos Original Video subaru viziv-7 concept

Fuji Heavy Industries changes name to Subaru Corp. in 2017

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. plans to celebrate its centennial by changing its name to Subaru Corporation on April 1, 2017, in a move that emphasizes the company's automotive business. The change is pending approval at the company's shareholder meeting on June 28. "The purpose of this shift is to further accelerate our efforts to enhance the Subaru brand and achieve even greater growth for Subaru as a distinctive global brand in the automotive and aerospace industries," the company said in a statement. The company forecasts its global vehicle sales will top 1 million for the first time in 2017. Fuji traces its roots to the founding of the Aircraft Research Laboratory, which later became Nakajima Aircraft Co., in 1917. The Fuji Heavy Industries name was launched in 1953, and the core auto business began under the Subaru name in 1958. Though Subaru is a well-known car brand, it is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, and it serves as a symbol of the six sibling companies that formed Fuji in 1953. It currently plays in a wide range of sectors, including aerospace and industrial products. Related Video: Featured Gallery Subaru Prodrive Isle of Man Government/Legal Subaru fuji heavy industries fuji

Subaru forecasts 540k US sales in 2015, 940k worldwide

In the past few years, growth for Subaru in the US has only been rocketing upward. The company went from selling 336,441 cars in 2012 to 513,693 in 2014, easily beating its own forecast. In fact with a 21 percent gain, the region was the automaker's largest expanding major market worldwide. The brand sees no reason for the strong inertia to stop in 2015 and thinks it can do even better. It actually looks like North America is going to play an even more important role in Subaru's future. According to the company's 2015 forecast, Japanese sales are expected to fall eight percent this year to an estimated 156,000 units. Meanwhile, growth in the US is estimated to climb to the tune of about five percent to a total of 540,000 vehicles. Canada should help things with a seven percent boost to 45,000 cars. The numbers mean that of the automaker's record 940,000 forecasted sales in 2015, roughly 62 percent could come from North America. To cope with the growing demand, Subaru intends to boost worldwide production and build 920,000 vehicles in 2015, an all-time record of it happens. Further out, the company's SIA factory in Indiana is getting an 18,000-unit expansion "during the first half period of FYE2017" to keep up with Legacy and Outback orders. Clearly, Subaru intends to gain even more ground in the coming years. Read below for its full forecasts. FHI Announces Production and Retail Sales Plans for CY2015 Automobiles Jan 16,2015 Tokyo, January 16, 2015 - Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced its annual production and retail sales plans for calendar year 2015. 1.Production (Units in Thousands) 2014 Result '14 vs '13 2015 Plan '15 vs '14 Japan Production 696 +9% 700 +1% Overseas Production *1 193 +14% 220 +14% Global Production 889 +10% 920 +4% < Japan Production > In prospect of strong sales of the new Legacy and Outback being launched worldwide, Japan production is projected to be 700,000 units, which will be an all-time record for the 3rd consecutive year. < Overseas Production > With expected high demand for the new Legacy and Outback, overseas production is projected to be 220,000 units, which will be an all-time record for the 2nd consecutive year. < Global Production > Global production is projected to be 920,000 units which will be an all-time record for the 4th consecutive year. 2.