Speaking with reporters on Wednesday in Tokyo, Fuji Heavy Industries President Ikuo Mori said the company plans to develop a new diesel engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid to help it meet tighter emissions rules in Europe, Japan and the U.S.
Fuji Heavy, which makes Subaru vehicles, said that it will use a hybrid system from Toyota, its biggest shareholder. Today, Subaru has a relatively small U.S. lineup, with only five nameplates: Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Tribeca.
U.S. President Barack Obama introduced stricter fuel emissions standards just this week, calling for average efficiency standards of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Europe and Japan are working to implement similar efficiency standards as well.
Separately, Mori said Fuji Heavy is encouraging its 20 U.S. dealers that sell both Chrysler and Subaru vehicles to switch to Fuji Heavy's finance company.
Source: Bloomberg