Subaru Officially Withdraws From WRC

Unfortunately, yesterdays rumour that Subaru might pull the pin on its WRC endeavors was right on the money. Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, has now confirmed the fears of rally fans everywhere by announcing that, effective immediately, Subaru is out of the WRC.

Money is the big issue, with Subaru following in Suzuki's footsteps - Suzuki dropped out of top level competition yesterday citing financial concerns. Prodrive, the company who has run the Subaru WRC team for over twenty years, will be looking for a new partner if it is to continue its WRC involvement next year and into the future.

This now leaves Citroen and Ford as the only manufacturers sporting factory teams in the WRC series. While there may no longer be a Subaru works team, the Japanese marque has confirmed its committment to support existing privateers fielding Subaru vehicles in P-WRC or the Group N category.

As understandable as it is, we're shocked to learn that a company as iconic to WRC as Subaru has pulled up stumps. While success in recent years has been hard to come by, Subaru was once the dominant force in World Rally having won three driver's titles and three manufacturer's titles in its heyday. Hopefully this is not a permanent thing; the WRC just won't be the same without a handful of manic blue WRXs tearing up the place. Check out the full press release below.

FHI to withdraw from FIA WRC after 2008 season

Tokyo, December 16, 2008 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2008 season.

FHI has participated in the WRC together with Prodrive, a motorsports and automotive engineering group in the UK, over the past 19 years to pursue its goal and philosophy in motor sports activities to enhance Subaru brand awareness by showing that Subaru vehicles offer safe, comfortable and pleasurable driving no matter the weather or road conditions, featuring Horizontally-Opposed engine and the Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system as its core technologies, and to transfer results of race-tested technical improvements into Subaru passenger vehicles.

Subaru has won three manufacturer's championship titles and three driver's championship titles in its history of rally racing. This has helped enhance the value of the Subaru brand as well as the sales expansion of Subaru vehicles all over the world.

FHI considers it has achieved its original target in WRC participation. However, while considering positioning the WRC activity in Subaru branding strategy towards the future, our business environment has been dramatically changed due to the quick deterioration of the global economy. In order to optimize the management resources and to strengthen further the Subaru brand, FHI decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest timing.

As regards future involvement in rally activities, FHI will continue to support teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group N category.

President Mori commented that reaching this decision has been an extremely difficult task, not least with regards to the countless Subaru fans that for many years have cheered the legendary Subaru blue liveried Impreza World Rally Car; "We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our fans' strong and loyal support worldwide. They will remain an invaluable treasure for us."

Capitalizing on the priceless experience gained throughout the history in the WRC field, FHI will continue to offer Subaru customers products that integrate sheer excitement, safe, comfortable and reliable driving, respect of the global environment and peace of mind based on its philosophy of "Customer comes first."

About Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history of technological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraft company. While the automotive business is a main business pillar, FHI's Aerospace, Industrial Products and Eco Technologies divisions offer a diverse range of products from general-purpose engines, power generators, and sanitation trucks to small airplanes, crucial components for passenger aircrafts, and wind-powered electricity generating systems. Recognized internationally for its AWD (all-wheel drive) technology and Horizontally-Opposed engines in Subaru, FHI is also spearheading the development of environmentally friendly products and is committed to contributing to global environmental preservation.