Japan's Subaru cars, well known for their all-wheel drive technology and turbocharged engines with horizontally-opposed cylinders, are being introduced to the local market by its official distributor Motor Image Vietnam.

Though a new name to most Vietnamese consumers, Subaru is a popular and reliable brand belonging to transport equipment manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries, Motor Image Vietnam said in a statement.

Subaru holds two percent of the global car market, with sales increasing by 20 to 30 percent every year, the statement said, noting that Subaru customers are small in number but very loyal.

Motor Image said new Subaru models for 2010 will come with improved design and the All-Wheel Drive technology. Subaru's Forester model is now displayed at Motor Image's showroom in Ho Chi Minh City's Phu Nhuan District.

Motor Image introduced Subaru in Singapore more than ten years ago. The company has since set up offices in many places around Asia to distribute Subaru cars.