From http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-01-2005/0003109812&EDATE= Subaru Reports Best February Sales in Nearly Twenty Years

-- Total Sales Up Seven Percent; Legacy and Forester Post Double Digit Growth --

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported total sales for February of 14,524 units. This total represents a seven percent increase over the previous year, and is the best February sales since 1986. In addition, both Legacy and Forester model lines posted double digit growth.

"February was a great month for Subaru, one of the best in our history," said Fred Adcock, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. "We are pleased to see this positive momentum as customers continue to recognize the benefits of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Sales of our core products showed double digit growth, and we expect this trend to continue."

The Subaru Legacy model line recorded a 14 percent increase in February with 6,711 units. Legacy Sedan sales were up 39 percent from the same period last year and Subaru Outback also recorded strong sales of 4,592 units for the month. Subaru Forester posted 5,053 units in February, showing a 16 percent increase from the prior year. The Impreza line recorded 2,273 unit sales, while Subaru Baja recorded 487 units for the month.

For a complete sales chart and additional information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru vehicles, visit our media website at http://www.media.subaru.com.

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.

but if you look at the other sales only positives are the Legacy & Forester,

the Impreza needs some help fast...

Impreza Sedan - 1358 sold for Feb 2005, down -3% from Feb 2004
Impreza Wagon - 915 sold for Feb 2005, down -19% from Feb 2004
Forester - 5053 sold for Feb 2005, up +16% from Feb 2004
Baja - 487 sold for Feb 2005, down -35% from Feb 2004

No offense, but I guess that is expected because honestly I think most of the buyers are looking at the Legacy sedan and wagon rather than the Impreza. Just my thought

Didn't know that Baja sales could drop without going negative.

Impressive turnaround. Due to financing offers and the like?

What about STi sales? Are they just lumped in with the Impreza sedan numbers? I would think Subaru would break them out into smaller more specific groups.

What about STi sales? Are they just lumped in with the Impreza sedan numbers? I would think Subaru would break them out into smaller more specific groups.

Good point. In fact I wish all Subaru model sales number were broken out, not just the STi. I bet there are some other real slow sellers (STi, RS wagon, VDC), besides the Baja.

Bob

the Impreza needs some help fast...



I agree. I think it's due to increased competition from other manufacturers (SRT-4, EVO), and most of all - the Legacy. Every time someone tells me they are interested in a WRX I tell them to check out the Legacy, Much better features, for not much more $$.

Of course not all Impreza sales are WRX or STi's, but I see at least 15 of them for every 1 RS on the roads.

I hope the redesign/facelift for 06 helps things out.

A WRX STi wagon would swing those numbers into the black real fast!

A WRX STi wagon would swing those numbers into the black real fast!


PREACH IT!! :D :banana: :D :disco: :D

:alien: I agree. I think it's due to increased competition from other manufacturers (SRT-4, EVO), and most of all - the Legacy. Every time someone tells me they are interested in a WRX I tell them to check out the Legacy, Much better features, for not much more $$.

BINGO!!.. thats exactlywhat im tryin to say.. the 06 models will hopefull differentiate better between the impreza and legacy.. the impreza is too close size wise to the legacy. hopefully they'll shrink it down length wise yet extend the wheelbase and width for my passenger room than the current. and give it more of a agile "subcompact feel" IMO :alien:

2 door impreza baby

No, a sti wagon would not bring sales up... people who want a preformance car are not normally looking for a wagon. The reason there is no sti wagon is obviouse... there is little market for one.

:alien:

BINGO!!.. thats exactlywhat im tryin to say.. the 06 models will hopefull differentiate better between the impreza and legacy.. the impreza is too close size wise to the legacy. hopefully they'll shrink it down length wise yet extend the wheelbase and width for my passenger room than the current. and give it more of a agile "subcompact feel" IMO :alien:

With that being said you guys are right the Impreza and Legacy are too much alike, before the difference was apparent especially before the WRX, but now the bodies are very similiar with the Impreza going more towards the wild boy and the Legacy out for the families. With the introduction of the new Legacy and especially the GT, you can get a good amount of power with a good amount of luxury for a good price. The choice of Legacy sedan or wagon over the Impreza is easy in my eyes.

No, a sti wagon would not bring sales up... people who want a preformance car are not normally looking for a wagon. The reason there is no sti wagon is obviouse... there is little market for one.

There's as much a market for a high perfomance wagon as there is for a sedan with a rediculous hood scoop and wing. The S4 Avant seems to sell enough. Same with the Magnum, LGT wagon, and the wide variety of sport wagon compacts (P5, Mazda 3, GTI, Focus SVT, etc).

Ditto

I have noticed that there are plenty of courier and medcal service industry businesses buying Base impreza wagons.

Maybe, Subaru should push the impreza wagon to commercial industry?

There's as much a market for a high perfomance wagon as there is for a sedan with a rediculous hood scoop and wing. The S4 Avant seems to sell enough. Same with the Magnum, LGT wagon, and the wide variety of sport wagon compacts (P5, Mazda 3, GTI, Focus SVT, etc).

The S4, Leg wagon & Magnum are in a totally different class than the impreza. aren't the GTI & SVT focus only 3 door models? Not to mention that the SVT focus was canned because of poor sales. The others you mention are hardly performance models.

I'm sorry, but as much as I'd love to see an STi impreza wagon, I don't think you'll win the "there is a market for such a product" argument. Now a Legacy STi Wagon...I think that may be another story.

Just my $.02

No, a sti wagon would not bring sales up... people who want a preformance car are not normally looking for a wagon. The reason there is no sti wagon is obviouse... there is little market for one.
You'd be surprised...

When the WRX came out, Subaru only planned on making 10% of them Wagons. But the wagons were so popular, they ended up selling something like 40% wagons.

You'd be surprised...

When the WRX came out, Subaru only planned on making 10% of them Wagons. But the wagons were so popular, they ended up selling something like 40% wagons.

Yep.

We pragmatic people like some excitement, too.

The S4, Leg wagon & Magnum are in a totally different class than the impreza. aren't the GTI & SVT focus only 3 door models? Not to mention that the SVT focus was canned because of poor sales. The others you mention are hardly performance models.

I'm sorry, but as much as I'd love to see an STi impreza wagon, I don't think you'll win the "there is a market for such a product" argument. Now a Legacy STi Wagon...I think that may be another story.

Just my $.02

Even if they only sell 500 a month, it would be more than the Baja. AND it wouldn't cost them much of anything to bring it to market.

And yes, some of those cars are in different classes, but that's besides the point. They are performance wagons, and they sell.

Again the sale in Canada is quite different than US. More impreza RS wagaons and Forersters are sold than Legacy wagons and sedans. Different country, different markets...

Again the sale in Canada is quite different than US. More impreza RS wagaons and Forersters are sold than Legacy wagons and sedans. Different country, different markets...I doubt any of these "facts" are true. In any event, Canada's sales last year accounted for 8% of Subaru's sales in North America. SCI will, as always, get whatever powertrain/body combinations that SOA chooses for the US.

']I doubt any of these "facts" are true. In any event, Canada's sales last year accounted for 8% of Subaru's sales in North America. SCI will, as always, get whatever powertrain/body combinations that SOA chooses for the US.

I fully agree with you on that. Subaru sells more cars in US. That is for sure. It will be determined by the US market. But, the truth is Canadian market is different from US. Does US have Forester SE? I do not think so. My point is different market views things differently.. cheers.

most americans generally don't like wagons...they prefer SUV's or the cross over vehicles (Infiniti FX or Toyota Matrix)

Models like the redesigned Legacy will keep boosting SOA's sales.

most americans generally don't like wagons...they prefer SUV's or the cross over vehicles (Infiniti FX or Toyota Matrix)
Well, most Americans don't like Subaru either, it doesn't mean there isn't a market for a true Performance Wagon.

Impreza numbers would improve with adjustable bolsters, ie if you could flatten them out (for us bigger people) and maybe tilt steering wheels.

Plus the New Legacies are so much better now that the Impreza's will have trouble keeping up.

Agree; if the 05 LGT had been out when I bought my WRX I would have gone for the LGT.

The Outback is years above my old impresa :) I love my Outback. The gas mileage is a pain but to be honest to get the smile it gets from my wife we really like it. Even my son loves it.

The redesigned Legacy has done exactly what Subaru intended. Raise the awareness about the level of quality and features of Subaru. A great set up for the Tribeca, which (you all hope) is going to be the cash cow, which will allow them to produce some sportier cars, maybe even the two seater B9 Scrambler. I have seen 4 brand new Outbacks on my commute to work this last few weeks. They look awesome on the road. Not to squash anyones hopes, but the Impreza is not going to shrink, it might even become a bit more upscale also. The next gen Legacy or a new platform will be bigger if they continue to pursue the premium segment. This is they way of the world, they have to follow the money, and that's in new families and "Yuppies" .

...agreed. Subaru has to do what Honda has done very successfully - take its products up the food chain, but without losing its core customers. In fact I was surprised the 05 Legacies were not a little larger. I expect the next iteration will use a derivative of the B9 platform to gain extra inside space.

Equally, I would have expected the 05 Ltd to have been based on the non USDM 3L like the UK 3.0R and the 3.0 spec B. They have the sat nav and all the goodies, and the spec B (the 6 speed) has 18" wheels standard. Those cars could be positioned head to head with the Audi 4 range and the 3 series - which is where Subaru needs to go to meet its strategy.

^^Those cars may be coming next year. There are plans for a larger car on the Tribeca platform, but a new model, not a bigger Legacy.

"There are plans for a larger car on the Tribeca platform, but a new model, not a bigger Legacy."

Yeah, but Subaru has IMHO left money on the table in 05 by not having a car like the UK 3.0 6 speed and auto. I think that would have gotten even better magazine reviews - they like sixes - and Subaru could have really gone after Audi. Let's face it, Subaru could then have offered an "equal" vehicle to the A4 V6, but with better performance, safety and reliability. I wonder whether they were concerned about diluting Outback 3L sales?

We are a classic "move up the food chain" Subaru family. My wife's 2.2 L Legacy got replaced with an LGT. Had the UK spec 6 been around here, it would have got a very serious look, in spite of extra price. As it was, the choice was LGT, or LGT Limited, which charges you $3k for leather seats and a sun roof. Paying extra for a 6 speed, nav, HID, etc., is an entirely different proposition.

No offense, but I guess that is expected because honestly I think most of the buyers are looking at the Legacy sedan and wagon rather than the Impreza. Just my thought
this creates and interesting dilemna for the next Impreza - to make it more of a mini-legacy or to steer more towards sportiness. Either way, someone's going to be disappointed.

I have noticed that there are plenty of courier and medcal service industry businesses buying Base impreza wagons.

Maybe, Subaru should push the impreza wagon to commercial industry?


Yeah Greenwich Hospital only uses the base Impreza's for takeing people around.

Well, most Americans don't like Subaru either.

While this might sound stupid but I've always wondered this..

Is it because it's AWD+Turbo= cheap?

I don't udnerstand i've seen so many people get & looked like they are pissed at me for owning 2 Subaru's. :confused:

this creates and interesting dilemna for the next Impreza - to make it more of a mini-legacy or to steer more towards sportiness. Either way, someone's going to be disappointed.

yeah, they should really model the next impreza after the Mazda 3 in size/luxury and appointments (i.e. longer wheelbase, bigger interior, sub 180" length but decent insides), decent entry price. Then do some kind of hatch/smaller sportier coupe for the WRX buyers. That way the Impreza can be competitive in a market of bigger, fancier "small" cars that include the revamped Jetta, Mazda 3, revamped Civic etc...