Auto enthusiast blogs are again pushing the notion of a Toyota buyout of Subaru from parent Fuji Heavy Industries. Driving these rumors is a recent change in Japanese M&A law plus Toyota's 8.7% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, which Toyota purchased from GM in 2005. In addition, Subaru CEO Ikuo Mori was quoted as saying the company is in need of a cash infusion, according to TheCarConnection. However, the recently appointed CEO also said he doesn't want the company to simply become another marquee in the Toyota garage. Mori could have it both ways. After all, Subaru's focus on all-wheel-drive vehicles makes it unique enough that it could remain an independent brand amongst Toyota's three nameplates. If a deal really were imminent, the two had a perfect opportunity to announce it at the deal capital of the world when The New York International Autoshow opened last week. But they didn't.—Matthew Wurtzel
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