The origins of FHI go back to the 1917 founding of the Aircraft Research Laboratory which was later incorporated as Nakajima Aircraft Co. Ltd. After World War II, Nakajima Aircraft was re-organised as Fuji Sangyo Co. Ltd. Fuji Sangyo was divided into twelve separate companies in 1950 and shortly thereafter, on 15 July 1953, five of those companies merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
In 1958, FHI flew the first Japan-made T-1 jet trainer test plane and released the Subaru 360 mini car. Throughout its history, FHI has continued to deliver innovative technologies and unique, epoch-making products such as the Subaru 1000, Japan's first mass-produced front-engined, front-wheel drive car; the Subaru Leone, Japan's first mass-produced all-wheel drive passenger car; the Subaru Legacy which led the station wagon boom in Japan; and the EyeSight driving assist system.
The company's technological competence has been passed down in its non-automotive businesses as well. The aerospace business is recognised for its expertise in unmanned aircraft systems and participation in international joint development of commercial aeroplanes, while the industrial product business has been offering highly-reliable general-purpose engines and other engine-driven products to support industries and everyday lives of people worldwide.
Through its history of innovation, FHI has been earning trust and support from customers for its commitment to engineering excellence as the source of functionality, safety and reliability of its products. Pursuant to its guiding principle "Confidence in Motion", FHI will continue to serve as a responsible global corporate citizen and commit itself to fulfilling expectations and further enhancing the confidence of customers around the world.
In South Africa, Subaru Southern Africa celebrated a fruitful 20 years of operation in 2012, Subaru vehicles being voted as the number one most loved vehicles in the 2012 RamsayMedia AutoBrand Survey for the second year in a row as well.
