IM Group, which distributes Subarus, Daihatsus and the Isuzu Trooper in the UK, has made a strategic shift in its business by investing £25m in a new motor finance company.
Former Capital Bank executives on Tuesday launched the Funding Corporation with £115m of investment, including £25m from Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu importer IM Group.
Subaru's new Impreza WRX saloon is now available as a limited edition model with world rally car styling and the option of a performance upgrade.
A campaign in brand awareness is set to double sales of Subaru cars over the next five years. But the target of 20,000 annual registrations means the Japanese company's cars will remain a relative rarity on British roads.
Subaru and Isuzu will not be attending this year's London Motor Show. Importer International Motors said it had made the decision because too many manufacturers had pulled out, denying the show any real credibility.
New Impreza is seen by Subaru UK as the key model in its drive for 20,000 sales by 2006.
Subaru UK has gone against the trend in the motor industry by telling its dealers not to handle grey imports.
International Motors is launching approved used car schemes for its Subaru and Isuzu operations designed to maintain high levels of customer service and boost dealer profits.
Aberdeen-based Town and County plans to build a £750,000 Subaru and Isuzu facility in the city after taking the franchises from the collapsed Anderson Cars.
