Subaru to buck trend, report overall sales increase for 2008
The year is finally drawing to a close, and most automakers will look back at 2008's dismal sales figures with disdain. Crumbling market share for domestic U.S. brands led to the year's biggest story -- that of a Federally-funded automotive bailout. Import brands didn't fare much better, with Toyota, Nissan and Honda all posting distinctly lackluster sales figures towards the end of the year. At least one automaker is set to buck the overall negative trend, as Subaru executive vice president Tom Doll says that its U.S. arm will post a modest sales increase for 2008, and incentives weren't a big part of Subaru's success. New products like the Impreza and Forester led the way, and an increased marketing push helped the aging Legacy improve on its 2007 numbers. Regardless of its minor victories for '08, the Japanese automaker isn't expecting any miracles in 2009 with its New Year's resolution of simply maintaining current levels. Good luck.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
goalieguy314 3:16PM (12/26/2008)
And I was a small part of that. Thanks subaru, the car's been treating me well.
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Mat 3:28PM (12/26/2008)
Me too goalie guy, HIGH FIVE
(Am I the only one happy to finally hear some good news about any company?)
bluebanzai 12:57AM (12/27/2008)
That makes 3 of us! Lovin my '09 Impreza!
tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
Actually given Subarus small sales numbers, you guy were probably a big part of that.
Kiiks 5:19AM (12/27/2008)
Same here, talked my girlfriend into trading in her jeep for an '08 Impreza Outback Sport.
...now I want one.
SoMauiGuy 3:21PM (12/26/2008)
with Ford and GM deceasing the amount of cars they sell to Rental Agencys',
Subaru has been filling the void.
At least here in Maui, the roads are chock a block full of SubaruI Impreza's.
Perhaps that is where the sales gain is culmanating.
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Jake B 7:55PM (12/26/2008)
I see a butt load of rental Forresters running around all over the place.
Mino 3:25PM (12/26/2008)
I also contributed but it was also thanks to JP Morgan and Chase that I purchased my STi with 0% financing for 63 months and the 8k off msrp helped as well
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Evotec 3:51PM (12/26/2008)
The sh**y Impreza hatchback sold well,im surprised...
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Dave 3:56PM (12/26/2008)
I'm sure the lancer sportback would've sold just as well, but the diamond star is taking their sweet time.
Happy to see subaru doing well, now where's my coupe? I bought a couple grand of parts through 'em this year, the least they could do is release it on time.
mistermino 4:10AM (12/27/2008)
They sell well because they're good cars, and not what you claim them to be.
Kiiks 5:22AM (12/27/2008)
And the base model is a steal.
happy_penguin 10:56AM (12/27/2008)
I know someone who drives a late model Legacy wagon (not exactly sure what year) and it's falling apart. The last piece was the fender inner liner which was ripped out when she drove through some snow in a driveway of all places. Total POS.
Krystian 4:03PM (12/26/2008)
Sales Increase huh? then why the F&$! are they pulling out of the WRC!? It's like everyone is taking Honda' strategy. Use the economy as an excuse to pull your crappy motorsports effort out. What a bunch of crap!
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goalieguy314 8:12PM (12/26/2008)
My understanding is that it's mainly because of the new car rules for WRC (the S2000 cars). Subaru wouldn't be able to use their current powertrain. So the economy presented a convenient excuse to withdraw as a constructor while making fewer waves with FIA and such.
tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
They still sell less units total than Toyota sells Priuses. I don't know what was fueling the WRC effort, but I know it wasn't the US operation.
tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
That wasn't for WRC spec cars.
mistermino 4:03AM (12/27/2008)
no tankdog it is, S2000 rules will be for the WRC prototype class. Even more so the engines will be from Skoda.
Subaru with it's Drivetrain Powertrain layout can not take advantage of the design that they've developed for the past 15+ years? Sorry little hazy on the exact date they did the R&D on the Symmetrical AWD
Kumar 4:24PM (12/26/2008)
Here's to hoping some of the other automakers see that there is a market for smaller AWD suv-like vecs that happen to be hatches and wagons and give us a few.
I'd be shocked if we didn't see more wagons and hatches in the next year, as more people are looking for something that can do it all, that may not necessarily be giant in size. Most companies already have these but only sell them in other markets.
Then again, I'd be shocked if all of the big 3 are still in business through next year after years of trying to tell us we need expensive SUVs bought on 5 and 6 year car loans that include the balance of the last loan rolled into it. :/
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tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
Toyota needs a small AWD offering other than that horrid Martix. Honda...well Honda is a lost cause I guess we'll never see an AWD civic again. An AWD Mazda 3/Focus, now that would be something.