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Subaru to drop industrial products, focus on making cars

Subaru, the company formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries, said Monday it is ceasing production of its industrial products after more than 60 years in order to focus on its core automotive business. The change was effective Sept. 30. "By concentrating management resources on Subaru's core automotive business, the company will further reinforce its business structure in the aim of substantially enhancing the Subaru brand and achieving even greater sustainable growth," the company said in a statement. The move appears to mark the culmination of a steady retrenchment from its industrial business. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. last year announced it was changing its name to Subaru Corp. in order to strengthen the brand and focus on its core automotive and aerospace business. It also moved to integrate its Industrial Products Company within Subaru's automotive business effective Oct. 1, 2016. Subaru is a Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, and it symbolizes the six companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries in 1953. Subaru's aerospace division is a contractor for the Japan Defense Agency. The automaker's industrial products business began in 1951 when its former Omiya Fuji Industries Co. Ltd. began production of the 540 cc M6 engine. Subaru says its Industrial Products Co. Ltd. affiliate will continue to handle after-sales service of Subaru-built generators, pumps and engines used in construction, agriculture and industrial equipment. The company also says it will cease manufacturing engines for installation in other vehicles as supply contracts expire. Meanwhile, Subaru is busy reorganizing its plant in Lafayette, Ind., to begin production of the Ascent, a three-row, eight-passenger crossover based on its Viziv-7 concept that debuted late last year. Related Video:

2019 Subaru Forester priced at $25,270

The Subaru Forester is all new for 2019, but it's not toting along a big price increase. A base 2019 Forester starts at $25,270 including destination, which is a reasonable $500 premium over the 2018 version. For that price, buyers get 17-inch steel wheels, but a $600 upcharge brings aluminum wheels and roof rails. Standard equipment includes Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology and Starlink infotainment package, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power windows, door locks, and side mirrors, remote keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring. A step up to the Premium trim for $27,670 adds the automaker's off-road X-MODE with hill descent control, a panoramic power moonroof, a 10-way power driver's seat, and rear seat HVAC outlets. A WI-FI hotspot and the latest Starlink safety services are optional, as are blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert, keyless access with push-button start, and a power rear gate. Sport trim is new for 2019, and it stickers at $29,770. On top of Premium, Sport adds SI-DRIVE with Intelligent and Sport Sharp modes and an upgraded Dual X-Mode system. A CVT transmission is standard across the range, but the Sport gets a 7-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle-shifters. Limited ups the wheels to 18 inches, and gains an upgraded interior with leather seats and dual-zone automatic climate control for $31,770. Limited also includes all of the active safety technology that's optional on lower trims. At the top of the 2019 Forester range is the Touring trim. For $35,270 buyers get unique 18-inch wheels, Subaru's DriverFocus safety system that remembers the preferences of up to five drivers, perforated leather seats (powered for the driver and passenger) in Saddle Brown or Black, heated rear seats, and an eight-inch touchscreen. Expect the 2019 Subaru Forester to hit dealers sometime this fall. Related Video:

Subaru Legacy pitted against Roadkill project cars

There's an evergreen debate among auto enthusiasts about whether they would prefer to have the latest and greatest car of today or a certified classic from yesteryear. What if you had to further define that, though, and the choice was between a brand new 2015 Subaru Legacy or a turbocharged Datsun 240Z with a hatch that wouldn't close? Roadkill aimed to find out that and more in one of its best videos to date.
According to the hosts, Subaru came to them, handed over some money and challenged Roadkill's project cars against its latest Legacy. The result is every bit as good (or better) than any automotive-themed show you could find on television.
Things start simple with a figure-eight race in a rodeo arena with the Subaru taking on Roadkill's 1968 Ford Ranchero, originally built for ice racing. From there the Legacy races a 1968 Dodge Charger with no windows around and off-road rally stage. Finally, the Subie goes head-to-head against the Rotsun, the aforementioned turbocharged 240Z, through an abandoned neighborhood. Plus, there's a bonus drag race challenging them all.