Speculation about Subaru’s return has been swirling for years, but there has been no concrete evidence to support the rumors. However, Subaru’s new boss has now brought up the topic publicly.
Hiromi Tamou took over as the head of Subaru Tecnica International (STI) at the beginning of April. STI, the Japanese manufacturer’s department, is responsible for Subaru’s motorsport activities among other things.
Subaru withdrew from the World Rally Championship at the end of 2008. Since then, rally circles have only dreamed that Subaru might return to the WRC stages.
According to the new Subaru boss, the World Rally Championship is an attractive option.
“It is a great possibility. (In my mind it is part of) my future plans for STI brand. It is very important to Subaru and fans around the world,” Tamou told Subaru Motorsport Magazine in an interview.
Last autumn, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), stated that discussions about Subaru’s return had taken place, involving Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda as well. Toyota, which has achieved success in the WRC, owns a stake in Subaru, and the big boss Toyoda has publicly stated that he would like to bring Subaru back to the WRC.
Tamou does not make the decision on Subaru’s potential return alone.
“We will see with the board of directors about the future in the coming months, and we will make a decision,” Tamou said.
According to Tamou, competing is one of the core pillars of Subaru’s STI division. In rallies, the Japanese brand could further strengthen its brand.
Tamou also hinted that Subaru might be interested in developing an electric rally car. The FIA’s plan is to introduce a class specifically for electric cars in the WRC as soon as possible.
But electric cars are not a must for Subaru, or at least not for Tamou.
“No matter what the power is, once you have a car as a tool in your hands, you want to compete. It’s a human instinct. In other words, motorsports will forever exist,” Tamou said.
Source: Drive.com.au
