Subaru Exits Industrial Business

Subaru Corp. has ended the sale and production of generators, general-purpose engines and other industrial products.

The move, which was announced last November, will allow Subaru to focus entirely on its core automotive business. Service and support for existing products will be provided by Subaru’s Industrial Products unit.

Subaru was formed in 1953 as Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., through the eventual merger of six companies. The company has been making industrial equipment and general-purpose engines—used in everything from agricultural equipment to snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles—since its origins.

The first Subaru car, the 1500 sedan, debuted in 1954. In Japanese, Subaru means “unite,” which FHI chose to signify the merger of its various predecessor companies. FHI formally changed its name to Subaru in April.