From http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&refer=conews&tkr=7270:JP&sid=acK079vTvpjg Subaru B9 Tribeca Comes Home to Philadelphia
-- Company to Showcase All-New Progressive SUV at Philadelphia Auto Show --

Subaru of America, Inc., the only car company headquartered in the Delaware Valley with nearly 500 employees in the tri-county area, will showcase its all-new progressive SUV, the 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca at the 2005 Philadelphia Auto Show. The vehicle is making its world debut this year, and this is the first time the vehicle will be shown publicly on the East Coast.

Did you know Subaru invented the crossover segment in 1994 - with the introduction of its legendary Subaru Outback? Subaru again pioneers within this now popular segment using its expertise to create a new level of driving performance coupled with dramatic styling inside and out. Subaru B9 Tribeca is the largest Subaru ever built - with seating for seven, from the leader in All-Wheel Drive technology and active safety. Created in response to customer feedback, the Subaru B9 Tribeca offers traditional and loyal Subaru enthusiasts the additional seating capacity and cargo space for their active lifestyles. This all-new vehicle is turning heads with its accommodating size and new dynamic styling and now more than ever before, prospective buyers are putting Subaru on their shopping list. (For more information on this vehicle visit http://www.b9tribeca.com.)

What:Subaru showcases all new B9 Tribeca in a press conference at the Philadelphia Auto Show
When: Friday, February 4, 2005 @ 10:00 a.m. EST
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center; Subaru Booth No. TR-7
Who: Rick Crosson, Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.
Contact: Lisa Fleming, Subaru of America, Inc: Office 856-488-5093

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes all-wheel drive Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru is the only car company that features symmetrical All-Wheel drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.

Contact: Lisa Fleming
Subaru of America, Inc.
+1-856-488-5093
lfleming@subaru.comNotes to SOA marketeers:
The Jeep Eagle from the 80s was the first cross-over vehicle.
The car show in Providence, RI, which concluded this past weekend, featured a Subaru B9 Tribeca. Last time I checked, Providence was located on the East Coast.

yea the eagle definately was, but no-ones going to remember that.

-mikey

Too bad you have to be 25 to go (to the VIP event). What the flip is up with that? :huh:


-Matt

Subaru have had AWD since 1972.
Way ahead of AMC and Audi!

Subaru have had AWD since 1972.
Way ahead of AMC and Audi!

Shhh! Just don't tell that to the Audi folks, they might get angry. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: <i am an ex-audi owner myself> :devil:

umm...

Willys=AMC=1942...

umm...

Willys=AMC=1942...


That's 4WD.

I recieved a VIP invite for this show via email, but the damn thing was already booked up. :mad:

Actually if you want to get real technical automobiles even before the Model -T where designed to be driven on and off road (especially since many times there where not any roads) So basically the revolution is in a car that is designed to be driven only on pavement. Also 4WD does not define a cross over vehicle.

my.02

Subaru still rules though.

I was thinking of the Jeepster..

']From [url]Notes to SOA marketeers:
The Jeep Eagle from the 80s was the first cross-over vehicle.

Note to Jon...
Although you MAY be right in your assertion that the Outback was not the first "actual cross-over", it is also not true that it was the AMC Eagle in the early 80's. As others have mentioned, I fail to see how you would consider the Eagle any more of a cross-over than the Early 4wd Subarus. In fact, I would suggest that the Subarus were more of a cross-over, incorporating (at some point anyway) height adjustable suspensions, low range, full skid plates, and easily accessible spare tires (under the hood). Plus the Subarus were unarguably (at least in my opinion having worked on both) FAR more robust. And of course the Subarus predated the Eagles by at least 7 years (I'm not sure of the exact dates). I find it almost unimaginable that someone at AMC hadn’t looked at the Leone and thought, “hmm, that’s not a bad idea”.

However, given that neither the early Subarus nor the AMC referred to themselves as a "cross-over" (at least to the best of my knowledge)... it may actually be fair for Subaru to stake the claim for the Outback. Just as Chrysler was hardly the first small van produced, they are frequently considered the ones to have started the "mini-van" segment.

Further, "starting the segment" can be considered separate from being the first. Look at it this way...the early Subarus didn't garner much interest, and the Eagles didn't receive too much more. 15 years later Subaru produces a cross-over that captures interest, and everyone jumps on the band wagon (no pun intended). So before Outback, no segment at all, IMMEDIATELY after Outback there IS a segment. Looking at it that way Subaru created the first cross-over with the Leone in '72, and then created the "segment" with the Outback much later on. Regardless of the way you view the term "segment", your claim that the AMC was first on either of those accounts is incorrect.

I got a VIP invite for the Baltimore show. What exactly does this involve? (There were no details given.)

If it's anything like what I got for the L.A show, you get two free tickets, hors d'oeurves and a 30 minute overview of the Tribeca.


I got a VIP invite for the Baltimore show. What exactly does this involve? (There were no details given.)

I went with my dad, just in case they were going to see if I was 25, but nobody at the convention center or the Subaru booth really cared.

Too bad you have to be 25 to go (to the VIP event). What the flip is up with that? :huh:


-Matt

I got a VIP invite for the Baltimore show. What exactly does this involve? (There were no details given.)

Mike, I did too. I'm scheduled for 4:00pm on the 12th.

Bob

That reminds me of when my dad took me to see Clockwork Orange when I was 16 or so. They asked him if I was over 18 and he said "yes." Once we were in he said to me "They didn't say over 18 years, you are over 18 inches right?"

How do you define crossover? There were AWD (genuine, center viscous limited slip diff AWD, not driver selectable) vehicles floating round in the '60's. Is that what defines "crossover"? I don't think so. Isn't crossover the term for a wagon/minivan or SUV type mix, based on a car unitary body, which may or may not be AWD? Most vehicles in this class today have base FWD version, with AWD as an option. Subaru now is 100% AWD, but up until around 1995 at least you could get a FWD or AWD Legacy - in fact Hertz had a number of FWD auto Legacy Wagons as rental cars.

I am not taking anything away from the Outback here - that has been, and continues to be a real success story. Equally, had there been a cheaper FWD variant, the total sales would probably have been higher.

^^ This is a silly argument; "crossover" is a marketing term not something you can really pin down with an exact date or definition.

Mike, I did too. I'm scheduled for 4:00pm on the 12th.

Bob

Same here. Say hi if you see me. I'm 6' tall, short red hair, possibly accompanied by a pregnant woman and a toddler. Hard to miss ...

So I guess the presentation is at 4 so I should aim to arrive earlier ... ?

^^ This is a silly argument; "crossover" is a marketing term not something you can really pin down with an exact date or definition.



Same here. Say hi if you see me. I'm 6' tall, short red hair, possibly accompanied by a pregnant woman and a toddler. Hard to miss ...

So I guess the presentation is at 4 so I should aim to arrive earlier ... ?

I'm 5'9" and will be wearing something Subaru related—coat, hat.

Bob

I got the invite for Baltimore also, but won't be able to make it. I'll be at the Philly auto show that day and have a dinner engagement that night. Too bad I wasn't invited to a Philly VIP event, that would have been sooo much more convienent.

Same here. Say hi if you see me. I'm 6' tall, short red hair, possibly accompanied by a pregnant woman and a toddler. Hard to miss ...


Another redhead? Cool.

*gives secret rehead gang sign*

:lol: Being a redhead is not very secret! Are you going?

"B9" and "loyal Subaru enthusiasts" don't belong together

Disagree; there will be many current Legacy and Outback owners eager to move up to a B9.

PS "loyal Subaru enthusiasts" does not just mean WRX owners

"B9" and "loyal Subaru enthusiasts" don't belong together

Now that's about as dumb a statement as I've seen here in some time. :rolleyes:

Bob

:lol: Being a redhead is not very secret! Are you going?

:lol:

Unfortunately, no. My wife has a huge interview coming up, and I need to help her prepare.

I got a VIP invite for the Baltimore show. What exactly does this involve? (There were no details given.)

Hey great Mike and Bob, it'll be good to finally meet you both.
I'm going to that too, Feb 12 at 4:00 - hopefully I'll see you there. Can't wait to see it up close and sit in it (hopefully). :banana:

I'm a short Arab-American - stylish, full beard (think "Gladiator", only darker :lol: ) with a taller more attractive French wife. -- ya ya, I know, I joke that our kids will hate us - Dad is Arab/ Mom is French :D

I'll be wearing a bright blue SWRT jacket.

See you then.

"B9" and "loyal Subaru enthusiasts" don't belong together

:rolleyes:

ya ya, I know, I joke that our kids will hate us - Dad is Arab/ Mom is French :D

So your kids are Arabench? :huh:

:D

Hey great Mike and Bob, it'll be good to finally meet you both.
I'm going to that too, Feb 12 at 4:00 - hopefully I'll see you there. Can't wait to see it up close and sit in it (hopefully). :banana:

I'm a short Arab-American - stylish, full beard (think "Gladiator", only darker :lol: ) with a taller more attractive French wife. -- ya ya, I know, I joke that our kids will hate us - Dad is Arab/ Mom is French :D

I'll be wearing a bright blue SWRT jacket.

See you then.

Well if it's Saturday, it must mean "Car Show Time!" :)

Tomorrow I'm heading to Philly to that car show, and meet up with perhaps a dozen or more Edmunds folks. Driving up with juice (my Edmunds Subaru Crew co-host) and his family.

Then the following Saturday is Baltimore to meet you all...

Bob

:

So your kids are Arabench? :huh:

:D

Or Frarab? :D

I think he was joking, Bob....

Now that's about as dumb a statement as I've seen here in some time. :rolleyes:

Bob

I don't think he was joking; he doesn't seem to realize that most Subaru loyalists are not boy racers but people who want a reliable versatile family vehicle.

I don't think he was joking; he doesn't seem to realize that most Subaru loyalists are not boy racers but people who want a reliable versatile family vehicle.
In Jaxx's defence, he was posting on this board LONG before the boy racers were around. And although I don't know what he meant in his statement, I'm sure he knows more about what a Subaru loyalist is than most people on this board. The WRX boys dropped in here years after he did.

To put over the heads of the Thespians that drive the Forester :lol: :eek: :disco:
or was that actors or ehh ehhe He He

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

To out over the heads of the Thespians that drive the Forester :lol: :eek: :disco:
or was that actors or ehh ehhe He He

In Jaxx's defence, he was posting on this board LONG before the boy racers were around. And although I don't know what he meant in his statement, I'm sure he knows more about what a Subaru loyalist is than most people on this board. The WRX boys dropped in here years after he did.

Maybe; I guess I will see if he explains himself.

I have been a Subaru loyalist for almost 20 yrs btw; bought my first one in 1986.

How did you get your VIP invites? Do they just come in the mail?

As for the age requirement it is to keep people who are not old enough to drink out and also to keep the older non boy racer Subaru people a place to have a good look at Subaru's latest. Besides how many 19 year olds are going out to buy a Tribeca?

was to be on Feb 4th 10am??????? :eek:

i am spam, spam i am

really simple
the current enthusiast is not the same target market that the B9 is targeted at. Its not even in the same ball park as the outback/leg gt
it too flashy and expensive.. look what is it is being compared to x3/x5/tourag .. cars that are not anywhere near subaru's core sales (outback/forester)

think about the average life cycle for a car in north America 7-10 years.. can you see some one in a 98 outback upgrading to a B9? (25k car to a 35k car)

the B9 is Subaru starting from scratch to enter a new market. that market is not where the current enthusiast is

Jaxx, I see what you are saying. B9 territory is largely a new market for Subaru. But I don't think its that big of a stretch from the H6 Outback, which is over 30k, to the B9. I still think, though, that there should be stripper model with 2.5t, MT, and basic no-frills interior. I would consider paying 30k for that but I won't pay 35k for "luxury" stuff I don't want.

The Forester XT btw has been compared favorably to the X3 (one of the car magazines basically said they preferred the FXT)


How did you get your VIP invites? Do they just come in the mail?

As for the age requirement it is to keep people who are not old enough to drink out and also to keep the older non boy racer Subaru people a place to have a good look at Subaru's latest. Besides how many 19 year olds are going out to buy a Tribeca?

I assume I got my invite (e-mailed) because I signed up on the B9 website.

If its drinking why is it 25 not 21? It makes more sense that it based on target demographics.

But I don't think its that big of a stretch from the H6 Outback, which is over 30k, to the B9.
Mike, I think it's fair to say that not too many traditional Subaru Loyalists (meaning people that have been with Subaru 10+ years) bought the H6 Outbacks. I'm sure there were a few, but they would have been the minority. I of course have nothing to back this up with besides personal observation. And maybe the purchasing demographics are different in your area.

think about the average life cycle for a car in north America 7-10 years.. can you see some one in a 98 outback upgrading to a B9? (25k car to a 35k car)

i did a marketing internship with a local subaru dealership..most subaru buyers/loyalists make b/w 50k-100k..i think theyll be able to upgrade from a outback to a B9 (notably the buyer income range is pretty high compared to many other brands):alien:

Mike, I think it's fair to say that not too many traditional Subaru Loyalists (meaning people that have been with Subaru 10+ years) bought the H6 Outbacks. I'm sure there were a few, but they would have been the minority. I of course have nothing to back this up with besides personal observation. And maybe the purchasing demographics are different in your area.

The H6 Outbacks are a minority, yes, but still a fair number where I live (Washington, DC). And yes there are lots of Subie enthusiasts who won't go over 25k. But there are plenty who will. Anyway, we will see soon enough how well the B9 sells and to who.

Mike, I think it's fair to say that not too many traditional Subaru Loyalists (meaning people that have been with Subaru 10+ years) bought the H6 Outbacks. I'm sure there were a few, but they would have been the minority. I of course have nothing to back this up with besides personal observation. And maybe the purchasing demographics are different in your area.
I see tons of H6's in my area. Must be a Canadian thing.


-Matt

Must be a Canadian thing.
-Matt
Yes, it must be that. It couldn't possibly be that the purchacing demographic changes state to state, or even county to county. That would be impossible.

Sarcasm off now.

The H6 Outbacks are a minority, yes, but still a fair number where I live (Washington, DC). And yes there are lots of Subie enthusiasts who won't go over 25k. But there are plenty who will. Anyway, we will see soon enough how well the B9 sells and to who.


Not where I live (Baltimore/Washington area). I see lots of H-6 Outbacks. I see very few VDC models, however; but LL Beans are very common.

Bob

I think we all agree, actually.

Canadians on average do spend less on cars than Americans (please lets not debate why again!) so that would explain why the high-end models do not sell as well. I think the B9 may be a tougher sell in Canada than the US.

Bob, what I meant was overall H6 Outbacks are not that common but in some areas, including Balt/DC they are.

I think we all agree, actually.Bob, what I meant was overall H6 Outbacks are not that common but in some areas, including Balt/DC they are.

Gottcha! :)

Bob

Not where I live (Baltimore/Washington area). I see lots of H-6 Outbacks.
Bob
Bob, the total number of H6s on the road was not the question. The question or point I was trying to introduce was how many traditional Subaru purchacers (or loyalists or whatever you want to call them) were buying the H6s. I know several people who have H6s personally (in fact I probably had a big influence on them buying the things), but NONE of them owned Subarus previously. At least in my area, the H6s were bringing in the NEW buyers, NOT the repeats.

I think we all agree, actually.

Canadians on average do spend less on cars than Americans (please lets not debate why again!)...
Mike, you have an interesting way of remembering our past discussion. However, if you re-read that thread you would note that I NEVER denied Canadians spent less on cars. Our friendly banter was about why. Back to the H6s though, I should point our that the people I know who purchaced these cars went from; a fully loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee, a MB, and a really expensive Buick (I can't remember which one), all of which were purchaced new except for the MB, which was only a year or two old.

:confused: Once again we agree that Canadians spend less on cars, although we disagree about why. What do you consider "interesting"? (by which I assume you mena "inaccurate")

Possibly a lot of buyers of high-end Subies are not traditional Subie buyers; I don't really know. That's actually good, though; it means Subaru gets new customers instead of just moving the old ones up to pricier models.

:confused: Once again we agree that Canadians spend less on cars, although we disagree about why. What do you consider "interesting"? (by which I assume you mena "inaccurate")
Sorry Mike, I mis-read your post. An easy thing to do when you're over-tired and have a 7 week old baby in your arms.

:That's actually good, though; it means Subaru gets new customers instead of just moving the old ones up to pricier models.
It's only good if the old buyers are still buying, which is an open question. Getting new customers is good, but maintaining customers is what makes a business continually successful.

True, but the base models are still there for the old buyers. There was a thread a while ago about how many of each 05 model were being shipped to dealers; the leader by far was the 2.5 Outback with AT.

Congrats on the baby btw! Have you seen my pics from my canoe trips with my kid? http://www.ciw.edu/seager/Max/Canoe/canoe.html

I don't think the B9 will do well. Subaru is going out of its league with this new upscale semi-luxury crossover.

Subaru is known for reliable, versatile and to some degree performance-minded cars. They're practical, generally not luxurious and not flashy(except the STi). Subaru also does well in car segments that they've pretty much started themselves. This is a segment that Nissan, Chrysler, GM, Ford and a few others have already entered.

Congrats on the baby btw! Have you seen my pics from my canoe trips with my kid? http://www.ciw.edu/seager/Max/Canoe/canoe.html
Thankyou! I hadn't seen your pics before. Very nice and very cute. Small world though...Temagami is about 3/4hr South of where we used to live in New Liskeard (up until December). My wife has Locumed (substitute doctored) in Temagami many times. If you're up that way again I can let you know where all the good restaurants are on the way. If you're looking for other good canoe trip areas, the French River has a great rep, and Killarney is quite stunning.

Never done the French but it is on my list. Been to Killarney several times, also lots of Algonquin trips, Dumoine, Madawaska, Mattawa, etc. (I grew up in Ottawa.)

interesting article on US vs Canada car preferences: http://globemegawheels.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050203/WHDIFF03/cars/

just got back from the philly show, I was so tempted to ask the guy next to the b9 talking on the microphone why it was so ugly... what a piece... instead I went over to the two sti's and made engine noises while shifting :)

Hope to see some fellow NASIOC-ers tomorrow.

So far, I count Bob, Mike, and I, perhaps with our significant others.

Cheers,
Nawar

I'm going to try to ge there around 3 or so. I think that's when you can pickup the free tickets. I'll wear a tan Subaru cap and dark blue Subaru coat.

Bob

Got this reminder a few days ago:

"Thank you for registering for the Baltimore Auto Show. As a reminder, you are scheduled to attend the auto show on Saturday, February 12, 2005. Prior to entering the show, you can pick up your (2) tickets between the hours of 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Present your voucher and a valid ID at the will call desk at the Baltimore Convention Center located at 1 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Don't forget to stop by the Subaru display to pick up your free gift. If you do not have your voucher, please CLICK HERE to print one."

There's no mention of a B9 presentation (or any other) at 4 pm. So what exactly were we invited to? Just free tix?

Anyone want my Saturday free Baltimore ticks? ha

So there was a presentation at 4, with only people on the list allowed past the ropes, near the B9, and more importantly in it. Not sure why they did that, since every other production car except a few Porsches etc. were accessible to the public. We also got Subaru thermal cups. No snacks though.

I was hoping they would have the Scrambler but no luck; in fact the show in general had very few concept cars. Maybe they only bring them to major shows?

I'll post comments about the car itself in the main B9 thread.

Bob and Nawar, nice to meet you.

So there was Bob and Nawar, nice to meet you.

Same here Mike! :) It's always a pleasure to finally attach faces to names of folks here.

Bob