TOKYO, August 1, 2008 (AFP) - Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru brand vehicles, said Friday it swung back to a net profit in the fiscal first quarter from a year earlier loss, helped by rising sales in China and Russia.

Operating profit soared 84 percent in the three months to June, buoyed by brisk interest in its new Forester sport utility vehicles.

TOKYO, April 10, 2008 (AFP) - Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday that it will almost double its stake in the Japanese maker of Subaru-brand vehicles as part of a global expansion that has put it on course to become the world number one.

TOKYO, April 2, 2008 (AFP) - Toyota Motor is holding talks with Fuji Heavy on enhancing business ties, an official said Wednesday following reports that the auto giant plans to double its stake in the maker of Subaru cars.

'We are holding consultations in various areas' with Fuji Heavy, Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said.

TOKYO, July 31, 2007 (AFP) - Subaru manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries said Tuesday it slumped into the red in the fiscal first quarter, hit by weak car sales.

The Japanese group, which also makes aerospace-related products, posted a net loss of 332 million yen (2.79 million dollars) for the three months to June against a year-earlier profit of 4.60 billion yen.

Operating profit dropped 67.4 percent to 3.51 billion yen on revenue down 3.4 percent to 318.23 billion yen, said Fuji Heavy, in which Toyota Motor Corp. owns a stake of 8.7 percent.

TOKYO, July 31, 2007 (AFP) - Subaru manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries said Tuesday it slumped into the red in the fiscal first quarter, hit by weak car sales.

The Japanese group, which also makes aerospace-related products, posted a net loss of 332 million yen (2.79 million dollars) for the three months to June against a year-earlier profit of 4.60 billion yen.

Operating profit dropped 67.4 percent to 3.51 billion yen on revenue down 3.4 percent to 318.23 billion yen, said Fuji Heavy, in which Toyota Motor Corp. owns a stake of 8.7 percent.