Fuji Heavy Industries to launch its first hybrid vehicle in Japan

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. announced that it will launch its first hybrid vehicle this year in Japan. Thenew vehicle has improved fuel efficiency and will be equipped with Fuji’s flat engine and four-wheel drive system.
Although Fuji Heavy Industries plans to develop the hybrid on its own, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., said the company will use some technologies from its capital tie-up partner, Toyota Motor Corp.
Through an expansion of its vehicle line-up overseas, Fuji Heavy expects to increase its global auto sales by 6.1% in 2013 to 750,000 units. It also plans to boost its U.S. auto sales by 8.5% in 2013. In China, although sales have slumped because of worsening Sino-Japanese relations, the company is targeting a 33.5% growth. (January 17, 2013)