Manufactured from 1973 to 1999 the Toyota Starlet was an extremely popular sub compact vehicle. They had a reputation for being affordable, dependable and fuel efficient which made them extremely attractive to families and individuals alike. In Japan the Starlet was first introduced as the Sera. The Sear however included butterfly doors, turbocharged engine and a sportier body making them a fun and popular car to own in Japan as well as in New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and Australia. The Toyota Starlet came to North American in 1981 and continued through 1984. However the Toyota Corolla replaced the Starlet beginning in 1984. The Starlet had a variety of models including a three or five door hatchback or sedan with all wheel drive, making this a good alternative for driving in any type of weather. It was a fierce competitor of the all wheel drive Subaru Outback, Legacy and Forester, but was much more affordable than the Subaru models.
Subaru, like Toyota is a Japanese automotive manufacture but a division of Fuji Heavy Industries Group. All of Subaru vehicles offerings are uniquely designed to be all wheel drive vehicles, competing for market space with Nissan, Toyota, Honda and other Japanese automotive manufacturers. The Toyota Starlet was designed to compete with Subaru vehicles with its all wheel drive, body style and five-door hatchback and wagon offerings. However, Subaru provides a variety of multiple body styles and engine configuration to expound their all wheel terrain vehicles. They also offer a turbocharged motorsport vehicle model to appeal to a younger consumer. The vast array of appealing color choices are designed to meet a wide range of consumer desires.
Most recently Subaru and Toyota agreed to jointly develop a vehicle which would incorporate the best of both companys currently designed all wheel all terrain vehicles. The parent company of Subaru, Fuji Heavy Industries entered into a partnership agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation to pursue this manufacturing and development endeavor. Toyota Motor Corporation owns 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries through this arrangement.
This partnership has developed out of a need to create environmentally friendly, fuel efficient vehicles for a global market. Of course there are other reasons for the partnership but this is one that is on the forefront due to the current economic and environmental issues currently plaguing the world today.
Subaru has developed vehicles with reduced emissions, and started engaging in programs around recycling, environmental education for customers and employees as well as advancing toward innovations for manufacturing and producing vehicles using alternative energy sources. In partnership with Toyota they are creating energy efficient hybrid vehicles that include recycling alternatives for vehicles at the end of their life. Both companies have begun using recycled aluminum products for the production of their vehicles. These innovations and efficiencies can and will be extended to all their various vehicle models.
Other innovations have emerged from their partnership which has enhanced their existing offerings of the Toyota Starlet and Subaru vehicles. These include partial zero emissions vehicles certification on the latest Legacy, Outback and Forester models as well as the Stella by Subaru. The Stella is an electric vehicle with a lithium-ion battery pack that touts easy plug-in and longer running capacities. Toyota is in the midst of research and testing of their electric vehicles to accompany their current hybrid models.
With Toyota and Subaru merging efforts they are jointly designing a new vehicle, the Impreza coupe. It is planned to be a rear wheel drive vehicle powered by a 2.0-liter engine with an optional 2.5-liter turbo engine model. The Impreza will be released to the Japanese market to determine the success factors before expanding it to a global market. The Impreza will be very similar to the Legacy but with a heavier shorter frame. The engine combines Subarus boxer engine with Toyotas direct injection technology for increased performance, environmental friendliness and fuel economy with a release as early as 2012.
