[HeilSvenska]

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), the maker of Subaru cars, today announced the withdrawal from the FIA World Rally Championship with immediate effect.

FHI has participated in the WRC together with Prodrive over the past 19 years and won three manufacturer's championship titles and three driver's championship titles.

FHI considers it has achieved its original target in WRC participation and in an exit-statement the firm stated "our business environment has been dramatically changed due to the quick deterioration of the global economy."

"In order to optimise the management resources and to strengthen further the Subaru brand, FHI decided to withdraw from WRC activities at the earliest timing.
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FHI will continue to support teams and drivers that participate in P-WRC or the Group N category.

President Mori commented that reaching this decision. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation for our fans' strong and loyal support worldwide. They will remain an invaluable treasure for us.”