[資訊] Subaru to Exit WRC After 2008

Japanese automaker Subaru announced this morning that it would bewithdrawing from the FIA World Rally Championship at the end of the2008 season. The announcement marks the end of a 19-year run in WRC bySubaru, with the automaker securing three manufacturer’s championshipsand three driver’s titles in that span.
While Subaru is claiming to have achieved all of its original goalsin WRC competition—a fair assessment considering the great success ofits rally-bred Impreza WRX and STI—the company also sites the, “quickdeterioration of the global economy” and therefore smaller pool ofresources for the exit. Subaru will continue to support private teamsand drivers participating in the P-WRC or the Group N category.
Subaru’s retreat from rallying marks another high-profile exit frommotorsport in recent weeks, with Audi pulling out of ALMS and Hondakilling off its Formula 1 program. Read the full Subaru press releasebelow.
FHI to withdraw from FIA WRC after 2008 season
Tokyo, December 16, 2008 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), themaker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the withdrawal from theFIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the 2008 season.

FHIhas participated in the WRC together with Prodrive, a motorsports andautomotive engineering group in the UK, over the past 19 years topursue its goal and philosophy in motor sports activities to enhanceSubaru brand awareness by showing that Subaru vehicles offer safe,comfortable and pleasurable driving no matter the weather or roadconditions, featuring Horizontally-Opposed engine and the SymmetricalAll-Wheel drive system as its core technologies, and to transferresults of race-tested technical improvements into Subaru passengervehicles. Subaru has won three manufacturer’s championship titles and threedriver’s championship titles in its history of rally racing. This hashelped enhance the value of the Subaru brand as well as the salesexpansion of Subaru vehicles all over the world.
FHI considers it has achieved its original target in WRCparticipation. However, while considering positioning the WRC activityin Subaru branding strategy towards the future, our businessenvironment has been dramatically changed due to the quickdeterioration of the global economy. In order to optimize themanagement resources and to strengthen further the Subaru brand, FHIdecided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest timing.

Asregards future involvement in rally activities, FHI will continue tosupport teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group Ncategory.

President Mori commented that reaching thisdecision has been an extremely difficult task, not least with regardsto the countless Subaru fans that for many years have cheered thelegendary Subaru blue liveried Impreza World Rally Car; “We would liketo express our sincere appreciation for our fans’ strong and loyalsupport worldwide. They will remain an invaluable treasure for us.”
Capitalizing on the priceless experience gained throughout thehistory in the WRC field, FHI will continue to offer Subaru customersproducts that integrate sheer excitement, safe, comfortable andreliable driving, respect of the global environment and peace of mindbased on its philosophy of “Customer comes first.”

About Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaruautomobiles, is a leading manufacturer in Japan with a long history oftechnological innovations that dates back to its origin as an aircraftcompany. While the automotive business is a main business pillar, FHI’sAerospace, Industrial Products and Eco Technologies divisions offer adiverse range of products from general-purpose engines, powergenerators, and sanitation trucks to small airplanes, crucialcomponents for passenger aircrafts, and wind-powered electricitygenerating systems. Recognized internationally for its AWD (all-wheeldrive) technology and Horizontally-Opposed engines in Subaru, FHI isalso spearheading the development of environmentally friendly productsand is committed to contributing to global environmental preservation.

[ 本帖最後由 carwing 於 2008-12-21 01:36 PM 編輯 ]

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