Subaru’s venerable & versatile Forester SUV has again been named ‘Best Family 4x4 of the Year’

Subaru’s venerable and versatile Forester SUV has again been named ‘Best Family 4x4 of the Year’ by Motors North in its Highland Car of the Year Awards.

The Forester has previously fared well in these awards, claiming the same accolade in 2014. In 2013, off-roading specialist publication 4x4 Magazine also crowned the Forester as its ‘Mid-size SUV of the Year’, beating a number of key rivals to the prize.

The Forester went on sale in the UK in May 2013 and builds on the model’s reputation as a rugged, user friendly and go anywhere SUV. Compared to its predecessor, the new Forester offers more efficient performance, even better safety features and a more spacious and better appointed cabin.

Subaru’s most popular all-wheel drive model is also backed by a long and enviable reputation for reliability as well as a comprehensive five-year, 100,000-mile warranty and rock-solid safety credentials.

Of the Subaru, Motors North said: “A firm Highland favourite and previous winner in the category, the Forester is growing more refined and desirable as time passes and offers excellent value for money in a spacious, comfortable package.”

Updates for 2015

For 2015 the Forester also gets a mild makeover with further improvements to the appointments in the cabin and a new range of factory-fit sat nav and infotainment systems. The Forester will also be available for the first time with Subaru’s advanced CVT Lineartronic transmission coupled with the Boxer diesel engine.

Unusual in the segment but keeping true to its heritage, Subaru offers a petrol turbo Forester in the form of the XT Turbo and which has proved popular with Subaru buyers – equipped as it is with a 240ps 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine delivering super smooth pulling power both on and off-road. 

The Forester range is also available with Subaru’s hallmark 2.0-litre petrol and diesel Boxer engines, and all versions of the car feature Subaru’s advanced All-Wheel Drive system as standard.

JANUARY USA SALES - SUBARU - 38th consecutive month of month-over-month growth, AND STILL IT GROWS.

• Record January - monthly sales increase 24 percent over January 2014

• 38th consecutive month of month-over-month growth

• Best January ever for Forester, WRX/STI, Legacy-sedan, Outback, XV Crosstrek

• 11th consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold

• 18th consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold

• Seven millionth vehicle sold in the U.S.

Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 40,812 vehicle sales for January 2015, a 24 percent increase over January 2014. These results continue the company’s sales momentum from 2014 where Subaru achieved six consecutive years of record sales and exceeded 500,000 annual sales – a first in company history.

January marked the 11th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Forester, WRX/STI, Legacy, Outback, and XV Crosstrek sales were notably strong as each model line achieved its best January ever. WRX/STI and Legacy sales for January 2015 increased 59 and 41 percent respectively over January 2014. The XV Crosstrek small CUV also added 6,513 sales to the month’s total.

All seven 2015 Subaru models recently earned safety awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – two with Top Safety Pick and five with Top Safety Pick+ including the Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, and XV Crosstrek, when equipped with optional EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. In January, Subaru also earned Kelley Blue Book’s prestigious 2015 Best Resale Value Brand Award and three vehicle segment awards – Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru Impreza; Sporty Compact Car Category: 2015 Subaru WRX; and Mid-Size Car Category: 2015 Subaru Legacy.

“We are off to a strong start to 2015 by having the best January sales in our franchise’s history and we expect strong demand to continue throughout the year,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “We are excited to see strong sales across our entire model line, as well as achieve the sale of our seven millionth vehicle.”

Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales said; “Subaru continues to receive outstanding accolades from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the automotive press for our products. These favorable reviews are increasing the positive image and awareness of our products among the American buying public and help drive the demand we are seeing in our retail stores.”

Carline	Jan-15	Jan-14	% Chg
	MTD	MTD	MTD
Forester	11,210	10,771	4.1%
Impreza	5,096	4,252	19.9%
WRX/STI	2,431	1,533	58.6%
Legacy	3,881	2,735	41.9%
Outback	11,351	8,230	37.9%
BRZ	330	592	-44.3%
XV Crosstrek	6,513	4,801	35.7%
TOTAL	40,812	33,000	23.7%

Subaru posts sales over half a million for the first time in its history, 2015, should be better still !

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that Subaru's 2014 annual sales have post all-time records in its key markets including the US, Canada, and Australia.

Subaru's US sales in 2014 rose 21.0% to 513,693 units, marking another year of significant growth following the increases of 26.0% in 2012 and 26.2% in 2013. Subaru has reached a 500,000 sales milestone for the first time in its history, achieved six consecutive years of record sales, and become the only manufacturer in the US to post seven consecutive years of sales growth. 

All of the key models have contributed to the sales success; the Outback and Legacy, driven by the all-new 2015 models launched in July, sold 138,790 units (+17.6%) and 52,270 units (+23.6%), respectively. The WRX series achieved 25,492 units (+41.9%) with the all-new 2015 version debuted in March. The Forester and the Subaru XV Crosstrek also enjoyed strong growth, selling 159,953 units (+29.4%) and 70,956 units (32.0%), respectively.

In Canada, Subaru sales rose 14.3% to 42,035 units, achieving an all-time record for the 3rd consecutive year as well as a 40,000 sales milestone for the first time. All of the key models have contributed to the strong sales; the Outback, Legacy, and WRX series each posted sales growth of over 40%, driven by the introduction of the all-new 2015 models. 

The Outback and Legacy, with the 2015 models launched in July, sold 8,688 units (+42.0%) and 2,924 units (+44.6%), respectively. The WRX series, with the all-new version debuted in March, posted sales of 2,642 units (+42.1%).The Forester and the Subaru XV Crosstrek also contributed to the growth with sales of 12,302 units (+9.5%) and 6,922 units (+13.2%), respectively.

In Australia, Subaru sales were up 0.8% to 40,502 units, setting an all-time record for the 3rd consecutive year. The Forester and Subaru XV maintained the strong momentum with sales of 11,539 units (+7.2%) and 13,670 units (+0.2%), respectively. The Impreza and the WRX series also contributed to the strong sales. The Impreza sold 6,636 units (+32.3%) while the WRX series, propelled by the all-new version launched in April, achieved 3,554 units (+91.6%).

Subaru's US Annual Sales (January – December)

Calendar Year	Unit Sales	% Change from Previous Year
2008	187,699	+0.3%
2009	216,652	+15.4%
2010	263,820	+21.8%
2011	266,989	+1.2%
2012	336,441	+26.0%
2013	424,683	+26.2%
2014	513,693	+21.0%

UK SALES - SUBARU - 23% growth in and new models to come will make 2015 another great year for Subaru.

• 23% year-on-year rise in Subaru registrations in 2014
• New product launches and dealer network expansion to boost growth in 2015

Subaru UK has today announced a 23% year-on-year growth in UK sales in 2014 and an 8.6% increase in new car registrations in December - outperforming Britain’s buoyant new car market and helping the brand to increase market share.

At the start of the year, Subaru UK has also announced its exciting new model plans for 2015 which include the launch of the new Outback in March and the all new Levorg sport wagon in the Autumn.

The arrival of new Subaru models last year such as the new WRX STI and Impreza, as well as price cuts to existing models, contributed to the Brand’s growth in sales in 2014. Subaru’s range of SUVs and crossovers have also proven more popular over the last 12 months; the Forester remains the bestseller in the UK, with 1210 cars sold in 2014, a rise of 33% over 2013. Subaru UK expects this to increase in 2015 with the addition of the Forester Lineartronic diesel model to the range in April.  

Off the back of a more favourable exchange rates the new WRX STI went on sale in the UK with a £4,000 price cut over the previous model. Demand soon outstripped supply with Subaru UK having to import greater quantities than planned towards the end of the year.

The rear-wheel drive BRZ SE sports car also received a £2,500 price reduction, making it far better value than nearest rivals, while the XV compact crossover also benefitted from a £2300 price reduction in 2013, with prices remaining frozen with the arrival of the updated MY2014 model.

Further growth is expected in 2015 with the UK launch of the new models. The Outback will be the first car in Subaru’s line-up to be fitted with the brand’s unique EyeSight driver assist technology. The Outback will also feature all new exterior and interior designs, with particular emphasis placed on interior quality and the Outback’s infotainment systems.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director, Subaru UK, commented: “These results are encouraging for Subaru UK – it’s great to see model launches and recent price cuts helping us back to sustainable growth. The launch of the new Outback this Spring will put us in an even stronger position for solid growth in future, and the ongoing expansion of our UK dealer network will help us achieve this goal.”