Subaru will add minivan for U.S. in '07 or '08
Subaru plans to add a minivan to its U.S. lineup in late 2007 or in 2008. Based on the Subaru Legacy platform, the seven-seat vehicle would be smaller and more affordable than the B9 Tribeca, says a source at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which makes Subarus

Subaru will add minivan for U.S. in '07 or '08
Subaru plans to add a minivan to its U.S. lineup in late 2007 or in 2008. Based on the Subaru Legacy platform, the seven-seat vehicle would be smaller and more affordable than the B9 Tribeca, says a source at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which makes Subarus

Care to reveal your source :confused:

Today's issue of Automotive News.

Bob

nevermind....

umm... w0ot! :banana:

It's about time Subaru decided to bring one over.

Smaller than the Tribeca, and seat 7 adults in relative comfort? We'll see...

Bob

Today's issue of Automotive News.

Bob

yep...

Here's an earlier article from the same writer, Yuzo Yamaguchi, from AutoWeek online. Its dated 6/21 but similar details.

News
Subaru says it may build seven-seat minivan for global markets including U.S.
YUZO YAMAGUCHI | Automotive News
Posted Date: 6/21/05

TOKYO -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. may build a Subaru minivan for sale in global markets, including the United States.

The seven-seat minivan would offer Subaru features: all-wheel drive and a boxer engine, says Ikuo Mori, chief general manager of Fuji Heavy's overseas sales and marketing division. Fuji owns Subaru.

"Given our company size, we need to make it a global car," Mori says. He declines to say when the minivan might be ready for the United States.

Subaru sells four cars in the United States: the Baja, Forester, Impreza and Legacy, and one light truck: the B9 Tribeca.

In Japan, the minivan would be a replacement for the Subaru Traviq, a rebadged Opel Zafira that General Motors assembled in Thailand. GM stopped building the minivan for Subaru in December, about three years after Fuji Heavy sold it in Japan.

Last year, Traviq sales here plunged 36.1 percent from a year earlier to 1,847. Fuji Heavy said sales were poor because the minivan lacked Subaru specialties, all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.

Meanwhile, Mori says the company plans to freshen the Legacy in 2007 and redesign it in 2009. The Legacy is Subaru's best seller in the United States.
In Japan they were supposed to get a minivan in 2006, but that plan got scrapped due to FHI wanting to speed up the intro of their new K-car.

Can anyone get the full version of the 8/29 article? :)

Smaller than the Tribeca, and seat 7 adults in relative comfort? We'll see...

Bob

Unpossible! The Tribeca is tight for 7 adults. More like 4 adults and 3 kids, which is fine for many people. I expect this will be similar to the Mazda MPV, which does not sell all that well because its too small.

What I would really like to see would be a bolt-in rear-facing 3rd-row kiddie seat option for the Legacy/Outback, like in some Volvos and MBs. That would let you carry a few extra people once in a while without buying a minivan.

I hope they put a 3.5L flat six in it.

I know it's a dream.

PS "global car" seems to mean this is mostly for Asia and Europe rather than competing with the Odyssey and Sienna.

I hope they put a 3.5L flat six in it.

I know it's a dream.

If there is such engine, it will be in Tribeca first :)

A mini-van smaller than Tribeca? Good luck on that one. Like mentioned above, Tribeca is already tight on 7 (adults or kids). Maybe it is doable in Japan but not here. In Japan and other Asia countries, the regular sized minivans usually seat 11 ~ 15!

I wonder if we will see it (or a concept) at Detroit this year?

Bob

If it's smaller than the Tribeca, it should be termed a 'microvan'.

If the small storage area behind the third row was eliminated, then there could be space for 7.

As of now, the 3rd row on Tribeca can only seat two. For a minivan, it has to seat 3 and 2nd row for 2.

the original idea was to use the Zafira platform from GM which was also packaged with an AWD system that i dont think ever went into production....anyway that was a few years ago now...

As of now, the 3rd row on Tribeca can only seat two. For a minivan, it has to seat 3 and 2nd row for 2.

it doesn HAVE to...

Flip a seat in 2nd row and climb into 3rd row is not acceptable for a minivan. Beside, what do you do with the almost non-existant 3rd row leg room without extending the length of the car?

Ugggh, When are they going to make a truck...?


















No, the Baja is not a truck.

Ugggh, When are they going to make a truck...?


You mean the new Outback is not a truck? ;)

Why does Subaru need a truck?

There are plenty of other companies building good trucks. We need more good cars and people movers.

Ugggh, When are they going to make a truck...?


















No, the Baja is not a truck.

Speaking of the Baja, I just saw one about 20 minutes ago with the bed loaded with what appeared to bags of feed grain. The rear bumper was just about scraping the pavement, it was so overloaded.

Bob

Mini-van is a good idea. I highly doubt it could be smaller than a tribeca. Getting 7 people in a tribeca is a PITA. It needs to be larger in length and height.

lol ...

i dont think the minivan will be like the tribeca at all ... IE slide the 2nd row seat or whatever ... it will probably have two sliding doors ... and like everyone said ... it will probably be smaller than the tribeca, i think the mazda 5 is a better comparison than the MPV, its smaller than the tribeca and can sit 7 adults perfectly, a minivan doesnt have all that extra "luggage" room in the back, so i'm sure it would sit 7 people fine.

i dont think we can actually compare the tribeca to subaru's future minivan as we have no idea as to how it will be setup.

Well, typical fasion for a minivan is to move the passenger compartment forward, If you moved the front seats a foot forward, and a more van-like seating position you'd create a lot of room in the cabin for rear seats. Not sure how practical that is without making it look like an Astrovan though...unless they "gasp" move to a transverse mounted inline engine which would kind of defeat the purpose of using the Legacy platorm I would imagine.

Don't forget the floor will presumably be lower than the Tribeca thus giving more upright seating and more legroom for the same length. Still gonna be tight for North Americans though.

Mazda 5 is on our short list of future family cars (we have a 1998 Odyssey, which is similar in size and perfect for our needs):

http://www.autozine.org/gallery/mazda/Mazda5.jpg

http://www.mazda5.sk/obr/interier/sedadla/4.jpg

Smaller than the Tribeca would be too small and it'll have that new snout.

Don't forget the floor will presumably be lower than the Tribeca thus giving more upright seating and more legroom for the same length. Still gonna be tight for North Americans though.The only reason to presume that would be if Subaru adopted a FF drivetrain, which seems unlikely.

If this is not AT LEAST the size of the current Mini-Vans out there FHI & SOA are LOOPY; and they deserve to lose the millions they are going to lose. LOOPY is being nice.

harumph......

as someone else stated the passenger compartment will more than likely be moved forward and more upright thus allowing for more room in the cabin.

i really hope subaru makes this. we will be in the market for a vehicle like this in the next 4 years and would love to keep buying subarus. makes more sense than an SUV especially if they can keep it close to 30 mpg AND under 30 grand.

']The only reason to presume that would be if Subaru adopted a FF drivetrain, which seems unlikely.

Are you saying there is no reason to presume that the floor of a minivan would be lower than the floor of an SUV? :confused:

If they use the Legacy platform instead of a modified Outback platform like the Tribeca the minivan should have about 2 inches less ground clearance and thus a lower floor. They could also raise the roof a bit and gain a few more inches.

From Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107048) :

REPORT: Subaru to Build Legacy-Based Minivan
Date Posted 08-29-2005

TOKYO — Subaru is planning a global minivan, spun off of the Legacy. What's not clear is where it will be sold.

Quoting a source at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the Japanese maker of Subaru vehicles, Automotive News reported Subaru would introduce a seven-seat minivan to replace the slow-selling Traviq in Japan that would be introduced in the U.S. in late 2007 or early 2008.

The trade publication further reported the minivan would be equipped with the Legacy's 2.5-liter boxer engine and all-wheel drive, which is standard on all Subaru models sold in the U.S. The minivan reportedly would be smaller and more affordable than the B9 Tribeca. The B9 Tribeca went on sale in May, is available with five or seven seats, is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine, and starts at $31,000.

However, a U.S. spokesperson for Subaru of America told Inside Line that Subaru has no plans to sell a minivan in the U.S.

What this means to you: Another minivan in an already crowded marketplace.

I've heard that the minivan to be released in Japan will be priced in the 2.5-3.0 million yen range (~US$22-27k). Originally '06 was the scheduled release date but since Subaru shifted focus to their upcoming new K-car (to be released in mid '06) the revised release date for the minivan is end '07. I think we'll see a HV/EV before a Subaru minivan here in the US.

What this means to you: Another minivan in an already crowded marketplace.

Interesting.. just how many AWD minivans are being sold currently? Lets see.. Chrysler left a gaping hole for the AWD minivan segment when they decided to nix their AWD system to make room for middle row seats that fold flat into the floor. That leaves...

the Toyota Sienna & the GM vans. Yeah, real crowded.

From Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107048) :



I've heard that the minivan to be released in Japan will be priced in the 2.5-3.0 million yen range (~US$22-27k). Originally '06 was the scheduled release date but since Subaru shifted focus to their upcoming new K-car (to be released in mid '06) the revised release date for the minivan is end '07. I think we'll see a HV/EV before a Subaru minivan here in the US.

That report say Subaru has no plans to sell it in the US? I've read that they were going to sell it here???

Bob

The Newest article posted at the top says is will be in the US in '07.

Unpossible! The Tribeca is tight for 7 adults. More like 4 adults and 3 kids, which is fine for many people. I expect this will be similar to the Mazda MPV, which does not sell all that well because its too small.

.

Too small for typical American tastes that is. I've been thinking about an MPV or an xB as a replacement car for my wife's Corolla. I think it'd be the perfect size vanlet for a small family.

Most Americans however want HUGE amounts of room.

That report say Subaru has no plans to sell it in the US? I've read that they were going to sell it here???

Bob
Automotive News reported that the US will get a minivan, but Edmunds stated that a SOA rep said that it has no plans for a US minivan.

That report say Subaru has no plans to sell it in the US? I've read that they were going to sell it here???

Bob

Maybe the guy spoke to his dealer rep! :lol:

Seriously, you'll get conflicting stories from inside Subaru depending on whih guy you talk to. Apparantly, one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, in if it is coming from Japan, they don't seem to realize it is happening until the first boatload shows up on our shores.

I'd give this story a wait and see approach...

I love our MPV, and side-by-side it doesn't seem much longer than my WRX.

If subaru did make a mini-van I'd buy it over a Tribecca anyday.

Would a Boxer engine prevent the cab from being shifted as far forward as it is in other minivans?

Smaller than the Tribeca, and seat 7 adults in relative comfort? We'll see...

Bob

Considering the 7pax B9 is already cramped and uncomfortable, I can't imagine a smaller vehicle comfortably seating more than 5, unless "relative" now means "relative to Abu Grahib" :lol:

The big quesition is if there will be a twin turboed H6, sport suspension, big wing sporting STi version? I've always said that if someone builds a performance minivan those poor Dads who are forced into buying a minivan for their families would be all over it. Why can't the poor guy stuck in a box have some fun?

The big quesition is if there will be a twin turboed H6, sport suspension, big wing sporting STi version? I've always said that if someone builds a performance minivan those poor Dads who are forced into buying a minivan for their families would be all over it. Why can't the poor guy stuck in a box have some fun?


This one would do:
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Vorden/pics/espaceg.jpg

3500 cc 40-Valve V10 engine
800 BHP/ 597 kW.
1300 kg,
maximum speed of 310 kph/ 194 mph
2.8 seconds from 0 to 100 kph/ 60 mph.
1.5 G's of Lateral

Why does Subaru need a truck?

There are plenty of other companies building good trucks. We need more good cars and people movers.
They really don't need to build one. I would just like one. I've never had anything in my 24 years in this world than a Subaru and the time has come that I may need a truck as a daily driver. I'd just like to stay true to my roots. :lol:

Family Subaru car history:

I was born in 1981 - Parent's had a 4x4 wagon. Mom had a 2wd sedan.
- Sometime in the mid-eighties, they got another Wagon and my mom got a Loyale Sedan (One I still drive daily).
- In 1992 my dad got a Legacy Wagon. Mom still had the Loyale.
- In 1997 my mom got an Impreza.
- In 1999 I bought a used 1995 AWD Impreza.
- In 2004 the wife and I bought a Forester. I still drive the 87 Loyale. :D

Well, that's it. :lol: :D

See, I just have a hard time changing brands.

This one would do:
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Vorden/pics/espaceg.jpg

3500 cc 40-Valve V10 engine
800 BHP/ 597 kW.
1300 kg,
maximum speed of 310 kph/ 194 mph
2.8 seconds from 0 to 100 kph/ 60 mph.
1.5 G's of Lateral
at the heart of every french family......

This one would do:
3500 cc 40-Valve V10 engine
800 BHP/ 597 kW.
1300 kg,
maximum speed of 310 kph/ 194 mph
2.8 seconds from 0 to 100 kph/ 60 mph.
1.5 G's of LateralW T F do people want to post images of NON-SUBARU stuff in this forum? It's not as if we couldn't search out that crap ourselves.

Ah, it wouldn't be a News & Rumors thread without Jon getting pissy for no good reason. This thread is now complete.

^^:lol:

Ah, it wouldn't be a News & Rumors thread without Jon getting pissy for no good reason. This thread is now complete.

whohoo..

bad pchop? (oh, btw i hate the new grill)

http://tinypic.com/bg7575.jpg

bad pchop? (oh, btw i hate the new grill)

http://tinypic.com/bg7575.jpg


Add the rear panel "wing" things and ditch the strange curved line going along the sides in that chop and you'd probably be closer.

Interesting.. just how many AWD minivans are being sold currently? Lets see.. Chrysler left a gaping hole for the AWD minivan segment when they decided to nix their AWD system to make room for middle row seats that fold flat into the floor. That leaves...

the Toyota Sienna & the GM vans. Yeah, real crowded.

True, but how much demand is there? Most people who want AWD in a big vehicle buy SUVs. Yes an AWD minivan makes more sense in most cases, but that doesn't mean people will buy one.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103075

Subaru planning to produce all-wheel drive, boxer-powered minivan
YUZO YAMAGUCHI | Automotive News
Posted Date: 8/31/05
TOKYO -- Subaru plans to add a minivan to its U.S. lineup in late 2007 or in 2008.

Based on the Subaru Legacy platform, the seven-seat vehicle with a 2.5-liter engine would be smaller and more affordable than the B9 Tribeca, says a source at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which makes Subarus.

Another Fuji source confirmed the company's plans for the minivan.

The B9 Tribeca sport wagon, which went on sale in May, has a base price of $31,320, including destination. Powered by a 3.0-liter V-6, it is available with five or seven seats.

The minivan will offer two key Subaru elements: all-wheel drive and a boxer engine.

When the Subaru Traviq minivan flopped in Japan last year, Fuji Heavy learned the importance of those attributes. The Traviq, a rebadged Opel Zafira that General Motors assembled in Thailand, lacked a boxer engine and awd. A boxer engine has horizontally opposed cylinders.

In the United States, Subaru expects the minivan to help it achieve its sales target of 250,000 in 2010. In 2004, Subaru sold 187,402 units in the United States.

The minivan will be sold globally to achieve economies of scale.

In Japan, the new minivan will replace the Traviq. GM stopped building the Thai-made minivan for Subaru last December, about three years after Fuji Heavy launched it in Japan. Last year, Traviq sales here plunged 36.1 percent from a year earlier to 1,847.

Bob

B9 Tribeca sport wagon


:huh: :huh:

Released from Subaru this morning:

Erroneous Report in Automotive News

TO: All Subaru Dealers
FROM: Nobuo Obara
DEPARTMENT: SOA Corp Communications
DATE: 8/31/2005


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You may have read in this week's issue of Automotive News a story regarding FHI's plans for a minivan in the US market for 2007-2008. This report from an unofficial and unidentified source was in error and we are working to correct it.

FHI had planned a minivan for the Japanese market, as part of the original FDR-1 business plan, which has since been reviewed and changed.

Subaru product planning strives to be responsive to current market conditions and Subaru of America currently has no plans to sell a minivan in the US.

I wanted to clear up any misunderstanding or rumors regarding this reporter's incorrect speculation.

Should you have any questions, you can contact the corporate communications department directly




Jamie
www.subiegal.com

Heh, all this fuss over nothing. :)

"Subaru product planning strives to be responsive to current market conditions and Subaru of America currently has no plans to sell a minivan in the US."

So are they saying the market does not want minivans? :confused:

Clearly current market trend is 7-seat SUV not minivan. Everybody is offering it (Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler etc.), including SOA.

Each of those companies is also offering a minivan, or two.

Subaru/FHI seem to use that 'strive to be responsive to market conditions' phrase often. Its probably in the templates they use for writing their memos and other releases. I've seen the same phrase used in the Japanese releases too. Maybe the could have added in the word "however" in that sentence to read "Subaru product planning strives to be responsive to current market conditions however (at this time) Subaru of America currently has no plans to sell a minivan in the US."

In any case, there may be ppl that would be interested in a Subaru minivan, but to me it doesnt make business sense for Subaru. They recently started a marketing program to emphasize a 'premium' image for Subaru. I think introducing a ~$25k minivan to the market would offset the efforts put into the Tribeca campaign so far.

Also FHI announced in May of this yr that they would postpone the release of the minivan in Japan, which was originally scheduled for mid 2006, because they shifted their focus to their soon-to-be-released all new K-car. FHI said they didnt expect the MPV (minivan) to be released anytime before 2007 in Japan.

They also mentioned that new car development, including hybrids, would be postponed. Then a couple of wks ago Subaru announced their new HV/EV developments, so my take is that their primary focus is on HV/EV.

The market conditons could change in the next couple of yrs though. :D

Each of those companies is also offering a minivan, or two.

Yes. But they are not rush to make new fancy minivan anymore. They're indeed rush to offer new 7-seater SUV after Acura introduced MDX with a huge success. The market for minivan peaked a few years ago. So is regular SUV.

It appears that FHI is definitely going to make an AWD minivan. If SOA doesn't want it, maybe Saab will.

Released from Subaru this morning:






Jamie
www.subiegal.com

Jamie is correct.... I was about to post the same email that I recieved.... Darn it too slow tho..... :)

"Subaru product planning strives to be responsive to current market conditions and Subaru of America currently has no plans to sell a minivan in the US."

So are they saying the market does not want minivans? :confused:

No, it just doesn't want SUBARU minivans.

Or Legacy STIs
Or Forester STIs...

Though, FWIW, they're probably right about the minivans, so 1 out of 3 ain't bad--for SOA. :lol:

mini van? no.

mini car... gdammit... BRING IT ALREADY before the market dies :furious: :mad:
















:)
Jamie

mini van? no.

mini car... gdammit... BRING IT ALREADY before the market dies :furious: :mad:


With gas at $3/gallon (or likely more) I think the mini-car "fad" is about to catch on.

It's either high-MPG mini cars, scooters or mass-transit until gas drops back to $1/gallon (lol, yeah RIGHT!! :lol: ).

...and I don't see scooters with AWD, or MassTransit outside of a few, select major cities.

So, were SOA on top of things (we know they're not) we should have gotten the R2 before the B9.

Subaru product planning strives to be responsive to current market conditions

+

Should you have any questions, you can contact the corporate communications department directly

=


So, Why try to cram into the already over-packed (and cheap-gas dependant) SUV market or jump into an equally jammed Minivan market when people are (or soon will be) craving Smarts, Mini Coopers, and Scions?

Hell, while we're on it, where're the functional, marketable, sellable-now Hybrids?

is it just me, or does now seem like a good time for DCM to bring over Smart?

Oh, and the Mazda5 would definitely be on my short list for the "what do you mean you skipped your period?" aftermath (crosses fingers)

In any case, there may be ppl that would be interested in a Subaru minivan, but to me it doesnt make business sense for Subaru. They recently started a marketing program to emphasize a 'premium' image for Subaru. I think introducing a ~$25k minivan to the market would offset the efforts put into the Tribeca campaign so far.

^exactly

More clues can perhaps be found in the 2005 Annual Report from FHI.
http://www.fhi.co.jp/fina/english/report/annualreport.html
Page 8 "Restructuring Product Planning"

"Meanwhile, Mori says the company plans to freshen the Legacy in 2007 and redesign it in 2009. The Legacy is Subaru's best seller in the United States."

Please Subaru don't screw it up, I beg of you.

Yes. But they are not rush to make new fancy minivan anymore. They're indeed rush to offer new 7-seater SUV after Acura introduced MDX with a huge success. The market for minivan peaked a few years ago. So is regular SUV.

the world does not revolve around the united states ... you guys are the only country with gas guzling SUVs roaming around town like grasshoppers...

the rest of the planet drives (or tries to afford) minivans and fuel efficient vehicles ...

when your gas prices start reaching what the rest of the world pays ... then you will start changing your habbits.

the world does not revolve around North America ... we are the only countries with gas guzling SUVs roaming around town like grasshoppers...

the rest of the planet drives (or tries to afford) minivans and fuel efficient vehicles ...

when our gas prices start reaching what the rest of the world pays ... then we will start changing our habits.

Fixed

The world outside United States pays $5 ro $10 a gallon for gas ( although we're closing in).

Anyway, we're talking about bring in minivans into US by SOA, not world. And I think Canada has no choice but take whatever SOA offers ;)

the world does not revolve around North America ... From Subaru's perspective, the overseas world DOES revolve around North America.

the world does not revolve around North America ... we are the only countries with gas guzling SUVs roaming around town like grasshoppers...

the rest of the planet drives (or tries to afford) minivans and fuel efficient vehicles ...

when our gas prices start reaching what the rest of the world pays ... then we will start changing our habits.

Fixed


you need to visit your northern neighbours (not Toronto) ... people here drive echos and hatchbacks ... not Hummers and silverados

there are about 800,000 people around this city... and i can count on my hands the number of SUV's and hummers with bling bling rims ...

and the people that have SUVs or Pick-up Trucks actually need them to carry or pull stuff around in 3 feet of snow during winter.

Gas prices have reached what rest of world pays.....

I heard around $5.00/gal in mid US - from Atlanta up to Ohio.

I just returned from 2 years in Italy - gas was around 1.10 Euro per liter which makes it roughly 4 bucks/gal....

....and IMO most of the autoworld does revolve around the US market.....


the world does not revolve around the united states ... you guys are the only country with gas guzling SUVs roaming around town like grasshoppers...

the rest of the planet drives (or tries to afford) minivans and fuel efficient vehicles ...

when your gas prices start reaching what the rest of the world pays ... then you will start changing your habbits.

the world does not revolve around the united states ... you guys are the only country with gas guzling SUVs roaming around town like grasshoppers...

the rest of the planet drives (or tries to afford) minivans and fuel efficient vehicles ...


By fuel efficient, you mean like the STi that you drive?

Jamie is correct.... I was about to post the same email that I recieved.... Darn it too slow tho..... :)

This is an attempt to cover up information that was very prematurely leaked.

However, sevral sources internally over the years confirm they've been working on a Minivan for years (about as long as the Tribeca). Who knows, it could come to fruitation in the next two or three years. However, Subaru releassing or verifying any info, especially that with any specifics would make them lose some of their competitive edge. It would be irresponsible for Subaru to announce yet, so hang in there. It WILL come one day I assure you. Subaru corporate is not THAT dumb! ;)

They recently started a marketing program to emphasize a 'premium' image for Subaru. I think introducing a ~$25k minivan to the market would offset the efforts put into the Tribeca campaign so far. :D

Soooo... Subaru is completely incapable of making a $25K-$30K PREMIUM minivan in you opinion? Just because it is a people mover doesn't mean it can't be luxurious, well equipped, and well built, right?

We all know that here in the US, minivans sell like crazy. Subaru would probably have more success here with a minivan than most of their other cars (unless it completely sucks of course) in the US so I'm sure they would have a huge campaign to back it up!

Soooo... Subaru is completely incapable of making a $25K-$30K PREMIUM minivan in you opinion? Just because it is a people mover doesn't mean it can't be luxurious, well equipped, and well built, right?

We all know that here in the US, minivans sell like crazy. Subaru would probably have more success here with a minivan than most of their other cars (unless it completely sucks of course) in the US so I'm sure they would have a huge campaign to back it up!
I think Subaru can, and will, build a capable minivan. Judging whether something is premium is subjective, and right now the majority of North American consumers don't consider Subaru to be a premium brand.

SOA brought in the B9 Tribeca to expand their customer base - hoping to capture sales from those who want to 'trade up' from an Outback or Legacy to a larger vehicle. By doing so, Subaru expects the Tribeca will help, along with other factors, to elevate the Subaru image towards a premium one. In my opinion I do think that a people mover can be luxurious, well equipped and well built, but luxury and premium are different things.

This multi passenger vehicle was originally intended for the Japanese market. Its probably safe to assume that this minivan wont be bigger than the Tribeca. Then we recently heard this rumor of a minivan for the US too. If Subaru were to release a minivan in the US, it would be AWD in order to keep their focus on one of their core stengths. I dont see a market for an undersized AWD Subaru minivan that that would probably be priced similarly to current mid/full size minivans. Without carrying a premium image, its hard to imagine that a Subaru minivan would bring a return to FHI, even if it was a very capable, user-friendly vehicle.

So how about a bigger minivan? To build a minivan that would compete directly against the models from the Hondas, Chryslers, Toyotas, etc would be disasterous in my opinion. In this competitive market Subaru would need to compete on price again, in which case Subaru will lose 10 out of 10 times. Being a smaller player, Subaru cant build a car for every segment. Rather it needs to focus on its strengths and appeal to its niche customers. I think its best Subaru to position the Tribeca as their sole multi passenger vehicle, for now at least.

Even with some complaints in this forum abt the upcoming USDM Legacy Spec-B, I think it will sell without any problems and can only help Subaru head in the direction of attaining their marketing goals. To me it seems that the 'limited edition' models in Japan and here have a purpose - help FHI improve their profit margin, allow a gentle increase of MSRP across the entire line, and to make a premium appeal.

I think once Subaru succeeds in being labeled a premium brand, an inexpensive yet premium minivan intro into North America could happen, depending on consumer tastes.