From Carscoop, 

At a time when many carmakers are pulling out of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) due to the economic crisis, Subaru has not only confirmed that it will be present in Detroit this January, but also that it will stage the world debut of a concept vehicle. As we speak, we have no official information concerning the type of car that Subaru is preparing to unveil at Detroit’s Cobo Centre. However, we wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Japanese automaker presented a concept version of its forthcoming rear-wheel-drive compact coupe that is being developed in collaboration with Toyota and is scheduled for a 2010 /2011 market launch. We’ll keep a close eye on this story and will pass any information on as soon as we come across it.

While I wouldn’t be surprised if they showed off a version of the RWD coupe, I’d be even less surprised if they showed off some eco/diesel/electric mashup.  Only time will tell.

Translated from a Nikkei news article published on 12/20/08:

Toyota has decided to delay the production and merchandising of the new compact sports car, which is being jointly developed with Fuji Heavy Industries. The original plan was to start production by the end of 2011 and to launch the product in Japan. The postponement period is still pending but the launch will be sometime after 2012, depending on market conditions. Both companies have worked closely together since April, and the sports car project was supposed to be one of pillars of the collaboration, the domestic market conditions have become more severe. It was judged that securing sufficient sales is very difficult at this time. 

So I’ll repeat, fuck the credit crunch.  That is all.

Update: From Bloomberg on 12/26/08:

Mori reiterated the company’s plan to build a factory in Japan to make a sports car developed with Toyota. Still, the two companies may make “a minor adjustment” to its original plan to start production by the end of 2011, he said.

At least they’re reaffirming that the car will be built.  I guess that’s the consolation prize.  Again, fuck the credit crunch.

Well, not really.  But we can hope, right?

In the middle of December, Subaru pulled out of WRC for 2009, citing the move to the S2000 ruleset as the deciding factor.

It only makes sense that they bring the RWD coupe to market now, right?  Surely that car, if it comes to market, would be easier to adopt to the new ruleset…we can hope.