Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries Co. It is best known for conventional looking saloons and estates with 4WD transmissions. Known internationally for the use of boxer engines in most of its vehicles, the company also offers many turbocharged versions of their passenger cars, such as the Impreza WRX. The large star in the Subaru logo represents Fuji Heavy Industries with the five smaller stars representing the current five companies united under the FHI group. As a result, Subaru brand is not named after its founder, but after a solar arrangement. Nakajima Aircraft was one of the founding firms that formed the Subaru car division with Toyota another shareholder with a 16% stake. Subaru is well-represented in motor sport. Modified versions of the Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi have been successfully competing in rallying. Subaru took the manufacturers' title three years in a row from 1995 to 1997. Subaru's World Rally Championship cars are prepared by Prodrive, the British motor sport team. In 1986, Subaru was one of the only manufacture combining 4WD and turbo. Unfortunately, it announced last year that it would no longer be competing in the World Rally Championships because of the current global economic crisis. Subaru intends presenting permanent all wheel drive and boxer engine in North America, Europe, Oceania, Middle East, Asia and Japan. Some of more famous models in Subaru’s line-up include the Exiga, the Forester, the Legacy and the very famous Impreza, available in WRX and WRX STI versions. Subaru is hoping to boost its global sales by improving the build quality of its models and the image of the brand worldwide. GREEN CREDENTIALS Subaru claims to have implemented advanced policies which include recycling, reducing harmful emissions and proposing environmental axes of development. The Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana was the first auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill status. The company has also developed an energy efficient hybrid vehicle. Most of its products use aluminum throughout the vehicle allowing for recycling when the vehicle is no longer serviceable. Subaru Plug-in Stella electric vehicle comes equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack.