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Subaru cuts annual profit outlook on strength of yen, typhoon impact

TOKYO — Subaru lowered its annual profit forecast on expectations of a stronger yen and the impact on production from a typhoon last month, driving its shares down as much as 4.5%. Japan's smallest major automaker, one fifth of which is owned by top-ranked Toyota, cut its forecast for operating profit to 220 billion yen ($2 billion) for the year ending March 2020, from a previous forecast of 260 billion yen. Subaru revised its forecast for the yen to average 107 versus the dollar over the period, from 110 previously. A stronger currency eats into profits because cars exported from Japan become more expensive and the value of earnings made overseas decreases. The United States is Subaru's biggest market, accounting for about 60% of overall sales. Typhoon Hagibis forced Subaru to halt production at its factories in Gumna, north of Tokyo, for more than a week in October due to supply chain disruptions. The stoppage, which lasted until Oct. 25, resulted in lost production of 11,000 vehicles, Chief Executive Officer Tomomi Nakamura told a briefing in Tokyo on Wednesday. Hagibis was the worst typhoon to hit Japan in decades, leaving at least 80 people dead, according to national broadcaster NHK. "We have restarted production, but we couldn't return to full capacity immediately," Nakamura said. "Some of our suppliers' factories were completely submerged." Subaru also said vehicle sales rose nearly 20% in the first half of the fiscal year compared with a year earlier, driven almost entirely by an improvement in the United States amid strong demand for the Forester SUV crossover. Subaru shares were down 1% at 3,102 yen by 0440 GMT, after touching a low of 2,995.5 yen earlier.

Subaru Viziv 2 presages Tribeca replacement with diesel hybrid tech

Subaru is in the middle of a new product bonanza. It has recent replacements for the Impreza and Forester at dealers, and soon we're getting the WRX, Legacy and if rumors are right the new Outback as well. Now, there are rumblings that there could be two more models from the Japanese brand on the way with styling inspired by the Viziv 2 concept from the Geneva Motor Show.
According to a company insider speaking with Motor Trend, the crossover concept shows the way for the brand's future design language. The shape would be used on a smaller CUV that is still being kept quite secret, and a second, larger one that would replace the recently axed Tribeca. The bigger model is the first priority and is planned as a new technology showcase.
It's rumored to use a turbodiesel, four-cylinder boxer engine that would be boosted with one electric motor on the front axle and two at the rear, with a plug-in hybrid system sourced from Toyota. It should provide a great mix of torque and fuel economy. A smaller flat-six engine would be a second powertrain option. Though the Viziv 2 concept only seats four, the production version would probably offer three rows.

Listen to the new 2022 Subaru BRZ's flat-four going flat-out

Subaru's second-generation BRZ is clearing its throat before its official debut. While its design remains hidden, the Japanese firm released a video that lets us hear the new coupe's flat-four engine sing for the first time. Most of the video was shot from the driver's point of view, which is a clever way of keeping the sheetmetal largely out of sight. It allocates more screen time to America's picturesque wilderness than to the car, but the sound of an engine racing from turn to turn and footage of smoking tires breaks the National Geographic vibe. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Industry chatter suggests the exhaust note comes from a version of the 2.4-liter flat-four that powers the Ascent, among other models. In the BRZ, it will likely send about 220 horsepower to the rear wheels via either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic. Nothing suggests there will be a turbo under the hood, at least not at launch. Subaru could release a more powerful variant a little bit later in the production run. Earlier preview images show the second-generation BRZ will wear bigger headlights than the current model, though the C-shaped LEDs inspired by the engine's flat layout remain. It also looks like the grille will again be positioned low on the front fascia. Spy shots confirm its proportions haven't drastically changed, it still wears the archetypical proportions of a nimble rear-wheel drive coupe, but the rear lights are much sharper than before. While it's difficult to tell for sure, we think fewer curves and more creases will be the coupe's main design theme. Subaru will unveil the second-generation BRZ online this Wednesday, November 18. Sales will start shortly after, and deliveries will begin during the first half of 2021 — in the United States, at least. Subaru confirmed the BRZ will not be sold in Europe, partly because making it compliant with strict emissions regulations would be far too expensive. Toyota has kept its lips sealed about its variant of the car, but we expect to hear more about it after the BRZ's debut. As of writing, we don't know if the next 86 will again be twinned with the BRZ, or if it will land with a brand-specific design, mechanical modifications, or both. It will also arrive in showrooms during the first half of 2021. Related: Subaru Coupe Performance