Subaru Dealers in Japan to Offer Daihatsu-Branded Minicars

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.’s Subaru brand dealerships in Japan will soon begin offering shoppers a new line of minicars: vehicles carrying the Daihatsu brand.

The unusual retailing move could begin as early as this autumn, The Nikkei, reports. The arrangement capitalizes on longstanding business ties between the two companies and with Toyota Motor Corp., which expanded its stake in Daihatsu from 51% to 100% last week.

The scheme expands the lineup offered by Subaru's dealers in Japan. It also gives Daihatsu an additional sales channel.

Daihatsu, which currently supplies eight minivehicle models to FHI/Subaru, began rebranding its vehicles for sale by the latter company in 2009. Later this year it will add its top-selling Tanto microvan to the Subaru lineup. FHI stopped making its own minivehicles in 2012.

Subaru dealers will continue to market rebranded Daihatsu models under the new retailing partnership. And showrooms won't display Daihatsu-branded models. But The Nikkei says Subaru dealers will refer customers to Daihatsu models if asked.