Subaru, citing the advent of electrification and other environmental regulations, said it will not produce a WRX STI with an internal combustion engine based on the recently launched WRX platform.

Japan's automakers are stoking R&D investment to meet mounting demand for a staggering array of technologies. Toyota by far outpaces the pack.

The brand is banking on its awd off-road cred to set its new Solterra EV apart from Tesla and other rivals as it tiptoes into electric vehicles.

Subaru will jump into the electric vehicle fray next year with a crossover co-developed with Toyota alongside Toyota's new bZ4X.

The 2023 Toyota bZ4X will have a lower sticker price than the 2023 Subaru Solterra, but Subaru still has almost all of its $7,500 federal tax credits for customers to use.

Automakers will show about 10 electric vehicles or concepts at the rebranded AutoMobility LA show.

Asbury Automotive Group Inc. co-founder and former Subaru of America President Thomas Gibson . He was 79. Gibson in 1994 with financial support from Toronto-based Onex Corp. and a vision to buy large dealerships.

Does it make sense these days to invest in a new generation of small, gasoline-powered, modestly priced sports cars? Absolutely, say Toyota and Subaru.