Ford Motor vs Subaru
Ford Motor vs Subaru: Ford Motor costs $300K to $2.1M to open; Subaru costs $135K to $1.6M. Ford Motor has 10 units, Subaru has 14. SBA loan history: Ford Motor = 11 loans (0.0% default); Subaru = 16 loans (6.3% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Ford Motor vs Subaru: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Subaru requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($135K vs $300K for Ford Motor), a 123% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Subaru operates 14 units to Ford Motor's 10. Ford Motor has been operating 123 years (founded 1903) versus 73 for Subaru (founded 1953), a 50-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Subaru has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 16 7(a) approvals compared with 11 for Ford Motor. Ford Motor's peak SBA year was 2021 (22 loans); Subaru's peak was 2021 (3 loans). Subaru's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Ford Motor has the most SBA funded units in IL, with 8. Subaru leads in OH, with 3. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Ford Motor deals is $1.5M vs $1.6M for Subaru, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Ford Motor and 6.3% for Subaru, Ford Motor has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 46 (Fair) for Ford Motor and 40 (Fair) for Subaru, giving Ford Motor the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 46/100 | 40/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 11 | 16 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 6.3% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $300K to $2.1M | $135K to $1.6M |
Franchise Fee | $30K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | 1.5% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 10 | 14 |
Franchised Units | 10 | 14 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1903 | 1953 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Dearborn, CA | YOUNGSTOWN, OH |
Category | New Car Dealers | New Car Dealers |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Ford Motor or Subaru?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Ford Motor: $300K starting · Subaru: $135K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Subaru
Ford Motor: 11 SBA loans · Subaru: 16 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Ford Motor
Ford Motor: 0.0% · Subaru: 6.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Ford Motor: 10 units · Subaru: 14 units
More lender financing options
Subaru
Ford Motor: 10 unique lenders · Subaru: 14 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Ford Motor vs Subaru: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Ford Motor and Subaru is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $135K to $2.1M.
Ford Motor has 11 SBA loans on record and Subaru has 16. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Ford Motor vs Subaru, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Ford Motor or Subaru?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman