Lexi Webster
Subaru is a Japanese automobile manufacturing division of the Subaru Corporation, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries. Despite its Japanese origins, many people believe that Subaru is an Australian-born vehicle. This misconception may be due to the company's successful marketing campaigns featuring Australian themes and the Outback, a vehicle model promoted in commercials starring Australian actor Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee). Additionally, Subaru's popular SUV line-up, including the Forester and the XV, may have contributed to the perception of the brand as Australian. However, it is important to note that Subaru vehicles are manufactured in both Japan and the United States, with roots in Japanese craftsmanship and engineering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Current manufacturing locations | Japan and the United States |
| Historical association with Australia | Australian-themed commercials and marketing campaigns, particularly for the Outback model |
| Perception of Australian origin | Some people mistakenly believe Subaru is an Australian brand due to its association with Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Subaru is a Japanese company
Subaru cars are known for their use of a boxer engine layout in most vehicles above 1,500 cc. The company introduced the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive drive-train layout in 1972, which became standard equipment for mid-size and smaller cars in most markets by 1996. In addition to its standard models, Subaru also offers turbocharged versions of its passenger cars, such as the WRX, Outback XT, Ascent, and formerly the Legacy GT.
While Subaru is a Japanese company, it has expanded its manufacturing operations to the United States. In 1968, Subaru established its corporate headquarters in the Delaware Valley, before moving to Camden, New Jersey in 2018. To support global sales and reduce shipping costs, the company opened the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1989. This plant is the company's only manufacturing site outside of Japan and plays a vital role in producing vehicles for both the North American and global markets.
The perception that Subaru is an Australian company may be due to several factors. One reason could be the success of the movie "Crocodile Dundee" in the mid-to-late 1980s, which sparked an interest in Australian culture in the United States. Australian actor Paul Hogan became the spokesman for the Subaru brand, and the company's marketing campaigns featuring its Outback model may have contributed to the association with Australia. Additionally, Subaru's aftermarket parts were being made in Australia, further reinforcing the perception of an Australian connection.
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American commercials with an Australian theme
Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of the Japanese transportation conglomerate Subaru Corporation, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries. However, many people, including some Australians, believe that Subaru is an Australian-born company. This misconception may be due to the popularity of Subaru's Outback model, which was promoted in commercials featuring Australian actor Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee"). The success of the film "Crocodile Dundee", which was partially set in the Australian Outback, led to a fascination with Australia in the United States, and Subaru's marketing campaign seemed to capitalise on this. The Outback model, with its rugged, wilderness-themed name, bull bars, off-road capabilities, and excessive body cladding, seemed to be aimed at the Australian market.
- In the 1980s, American megastar Tina Turner, who had no previous connection to rugby league, fronted an ad campaign for the sport. The ad featured Turner singing her hit song "The Best" alongside a barrage of league action shots.
- Sam Kekovich's tongue-in-cheek commercials for the Lamb Council were a hit with Australian audiences. His rants about the virtues of eating lamb and the evils of vegetarianism were hilarious and appealing to carnivores, but they also sparked controversy among those who felt that the ads were exploitative or promoted an "un-Australian" sentiment.
- The phrase "not happy, Jan!" became ingrained in Australian culture after a Yellow Pages commercial was released in 2000. The ad featured an angry boss yelling at her assistant, Jan, who had forgotten to put their company ad in the Yellow Pages. The phrase is now commonly used as slang to express discontent.
- The Cancer Council's "Slip! Slop! Slap!" campaign from the 1980s featured a funny little cartoon and slogan that became a commonly used Australian colloquialism. The campaign promoted sun safety and is still remembered decades later.
These examples demonstrate that American commercials with an Australian theme have been successful in capturing the attention of Australian audiences and, in some cases, have even shaped Australian culture and slang.
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Subaru's most popular vehicle is the Outback
Subaru is a Japanese automobile manufacturer, despite many people thinking it is Australian. This may be due to the name of its most popular vehicle, the Outback, which was promoted in commercials featuring Paul Hogan, who played "Crocodile" Dundee, an iconic Australian character. The Outback was also promoted with bull bars, off-road capabilities, and excessive body cladding, all of which contributed to its Australian image.
The Subaru Outback is a mid-size SUV that combines the practicality, comfort, and easy driving of a station wagon with the ground clearance, ride compliance, and all-weather capabilities of an SUV. It has a spacious interior, decent road manners, and a reasonable price, making it a jack-of-all-trades. The Outback has been a popular choice for families, offering enough space and comfort to fit everyone, including pets. It also has a stellar all-wheel-drive system, which, combined with its rugged styling, makes it a capable off-road vehicle.
The Outback has two engine options: a standard 182-hp, 2.5-liter engine, or a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Outback's long-lasting engineering has resulted in a high percentage of vehicles still on the road today, even after 10 years.
The interior of the Outback is well-designed and comfortable, with above-average upholstery quality. Higher trims offer additional features such as a power sunroof, heated steering wheel, and a larger infotainment screen. The Outback has cultivated a loyal following due to its versatility, affordability, and mellow character.
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Subaru vehicles are manufactured in Japan and the US
Subaru vehicles are manufactured in Japan and the United States. The company's roots lie in Japanese craftsmanship and engineering, tracing back to the early 20th century. The Subaru origin story begins under the name Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), known for its expertise in aircraft manufacturing. FHI engineers began developing automobiles, and the first prototype under the Subaru name was created in 1953. The name "Subaru" stems from the Japanese word for "unite" and the Pleiades star cluster, which the company's emblem is based on.
In the late 1980s, Subaru expanded into American manufacturing, and today, it operates three plants across the two countries. The Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant, which opened in October 1989, is the company's only manufacturing site outside of Japan. The Lafayette facility's state-of-the-art infrastructure and skilled workforce uphold the values that have guided Subaru throughout its existence: quality, dependability, safety, and innovation.
Subaru's popularity in the US led to the establishment of corporate headquarters in the Delaware Valley in 1968, which later moved to Camden, New Jersey, in 2018. American manufacturing helped support global demand, reduce shipping times, and cut costs associated with shipping every Subaru from Japan.
In Western markets, Subaru vehicles have traditionally attracted a small but devoted group of buyers. The company's marketing targets those who desire its signature engine and drive train, all-wheel drive, rough-road capabilities, and affordable sports car designs.
Although Subaru is not Australian-made, the company's marketing campaigns in the 1990s featuring Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee") and the "'Outback' commercials contributed to the perception that the brand was Australian. The success of the movie "Crocodile Dundee" and the association with the Australian Outback led to the brand riding the Aussie fad to great success.
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Subaru cars are known for their boxer engine layout
Subaru cars are renowned for their boxer engine layout, a design that sets them apart from other vehicles on the market. This unique engine configuration has become synonymous with the Subaru brand, offering a range of benefits that enhance the driving experience.
The boxer engine, also known as a horizontally opposed engine, is characterised by its horizontal orientation and distinctive piston arrangement. Unlike traditional inline or V-shaped engines, the boxer engine's pistons are mounted horizontally and face away from each other, resembling boxers throwing punches. This configuration allows for a more compact and balanced design, enhancing the handling, smoothness, and stability of the vehicle.
The Subaru Boxer engine was first introduced in 1965 with the release of the Subaru 1000. Over the years, it has become a hallmark of Subaru's engineering excellence. The engine's low centre of gravity, achieved through its horizontal layout, contributes to improved stability and handling. Additionally, the symmetrical layout of the boxer engine minimises vibration and friction, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride.
The boxer engine also offers enhanced safety features. Its low mount on the vehicle's chassis means that in the event of a frontal collision, the engine drops below the cabin, helping to protect passengers from serious injury. Furthermore, the boxer engine's lightweight design and reduced friction lead to improved fuel efficiency, resulting in greater cost savings over time.
Subaru has continuously refined and improved their boxer engine, introducing new technologies such as direct injection turbochargers and advanced fuel injection controls. The boxer engine has contributed to Subaru's reputation for reliability and performance, with many of their vehicles capable of going over 200,000 kilometres without engine issues. The distinct sound of the boxer engine has also made Subaru rally cars popular among enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Subarus are not Australian-made. They are manufactured in Japan and the United States. The Subaru brand originated in Japan and expanded to the United States in the late 1980s.
Some people associate Subarus with Australia due to the brand's marketing campaigns in the 1990s, which featured Australian themes, including the Australian Outback and the actor Paul Hogan from the film "Crocodile Dundee."
The Subaru brand originated in Japan and is the automobile manufacturing division of the Subaru Corporation, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI).
Subaru vehicles are manufactured in both Japan and the United States. The company has three plants across these two countries.
The name "Subaru" is derived from the Japanese word for "unite" and the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the "Seven Sisters." One tradition says that one of the sisters is invisible, which is why there are only six stars in the Subaru logo.
