Fuji Heavy Sees 2012 for Rollout of Hybrid Vehicle

By YOSHIO TAKAHASHI

TOKYO -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. hopes to launch a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle by 2012 with technological support from Toyota Motor Corp. to brace for stricter emission regulations in key markets.
"We will take advantage of our alliance with Toyota," said Ikuo Mori, president and chief executive at Fuji Heavy, which sells vehicles under the Subaru brand, after a news conference launching the revamped Legacy model. Fuji Heavy is in a tie-up with Toyota in vehicle development, production and product supply.
Toyota, the world's leading hybrid maker a roughly 80% share in the U.S. market alone, owns a 16% stake in Fuji Heavy. Mr. Mori declined to specify which of the company's models will feature the hybrid system.
Write to Yoshio Takahashi at yoshio.takahashi@dowjones.com