Strong Demand Stalls Subaru Sports Car Debut

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. will delay deliveries of its new Subaru BRZ sports car until early next year because it has been overwhelmed by orders that are four times the expected volume, The Nikkei says.

The Tokyo-based newspaper cites no sources, specific statistics or an explanation why the company would delay deliveries for nine months.

The 2013 BRZ, which was co-developed with Toyota Motor Corp. was publicly unveiled at last year's Los Angeles auto show. The 2+2 car went on sale in Japan at the end of March and is due in North American in June. Media reports say some U.S. Subaru dealers are charging a $5,000 markup on the car, bringing its price to about $31,300.

Toyota's version called the 86 in Japan, GT86 in Europe and Scion FR-S in the U.S. is scheduled to go on sale in the American market next month at a base price of $24,900.

The BRZ and 86 are co-produced at FHI's manufacturing center in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Subaru has not publicly revealed sales targets for the BRZ. Toyota said earlier this year it hopes to reach an annual sales rate of 12,000 units for the 86.

Both cars are powered by a Subaru-developed 2.0-liter "boxer" engine that produces about 200 hp. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and limited-slip differential.