Japan withdrawing from motorsport?

Not strictly confined to the realm of F1 but it seems that the last month has brought nothing but bad news to motorsport fans.

We are all aware of Honda pulling out of F1, and likely less aware that Suzuki pulled out of the World Rally Championship on Monday.

On Tuesday Subaru announced they had also pulled out of WRC with immediate effect, despite filing papers with the FIA only a few days ago to compete in the 2009 season. The brand that is virtually synonymous for many with WRC has just disappeared from the sport overnight. The drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson were taken by surprise, but unlike Honda F1 - the team is not up for sale, it is gone.

Echoing Parr's comments I can't help but think Toyota are highly likely to follow suit and exit motorsport.

Are we going to see any Japanese manufacturers supporting motorsport teams next year? or in 2010?

It does appear a regrettable shame. As we've seen, this economic downturn has hit car manufacturers the hardest, and we are all aware that the Japanese are one of the top guns in this industry. As was seen in the Honda saga, despite the fact Honda were almost certain to re-bound from the past miserable two years, they still had to pull out because it was unfeasable to remain in the sport when making such a loss. As for Toyota, we can't understand their own situation until we know of their balance sheets (something which they won't release anyway), so we can only presume that they are fine, as they have mentioned.

The cost-cutting measures, whilst maybe not popular in the short-term, may end up providing a lifeline for those teams that may be on the brink. If the "90's costs" are brought in as stated, then it may be that independant teams make a return.

Right now, it is just about surviving the present. 

All car manufacturers are suffering right now, but Toyota are THE biggest car manufacturer in the world. It's not a question of the money by any means, its a matter of public opinion, what do shareholders think when they see their money thrown down the drain for 18 one and a half hour races? $500,000,000 per year is Toyota's investment its no small amount. If budgets are dropped by 50% as Ecclestone hopes its still $250,000,000 that will end up being spent...

That said I hope no other teams drop out.

Bad news - in my local news, a Toyota factory in Derbyshire is suspending production for two weeks, and maybe another two weeks as well. Maybe Toyota ain't so secure after all...Redders1989

I believe this is an issue unfortunaltly for all car manufacturers as there is not enough disposable income due to banks refusing to loan out like the have done previously. It would be a shame for Honda to pull out of the BTCC but if they need the money then there is going to be issues.

Are Toyota suppliers of Williams as this could mean them going into trouble as well, its a mess and Formula 1 could be having some real issues next year but we also shouldnt panic etc as the financial problems have happened for many many years as this is a cycle and recessions happen in 10 year cycles usually but this is forgotten as in recent years the economy has been quite affluent and people have been able to buy products thus helping the market but this issue with loans has damaged this as it artificially increased spending when no money was available to do so.