Subaru sees U.S. sales pushing past 200,000
05-24-05, 11:33 AM
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Subaru sees U.S. sales pushing past 200,000
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=53153
Subaru sees U.S. sales pushing past 200,000
FARMINGTON, Pa. -- Riding a wave of new vehicles, Subaru of America forecasts 2005 U.S. sales will increase 9 percent over 2004 and break 200,000 units for the first time.
But to reach that target, Subaru needs to sell at least 17,000 units of its new seven-seat B9 Tribeca sport wagon, said Kunio Ishigami, Subaru of America CEO, at a press event here.
Two vehicles will play a big part in Subaru's effort: the face-lifted Forester small sport wagon and the Legacy. The Legacy and the Outback, which use the same platform, were redesigned last year.
Subaru expects to sell 204,500 vehicles in the United States this year, including 10,000 units to fleets, said Fred Adcock, executive vice president of Subaru. Last year Subaru sold a record 187,402 units.
Sales through April were up 5.4 percent. But according to numbers provided by Adcock at the 2006 Forester launch, sales of the Baja and Impreza will decline in 2005 compared with 2004.
Subaru expects to sell about 93,500 Legacy and Outback models this year, up from 89,453 in 2004.
Burden on B9 Tribeca
That means the burden is on the B9 Tribeca, which goes on sale next month. Production of the sport wagon began April 4 at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Ind.
But the Forester will continue to play a vital role. Subaru expects the Forester to remain its top-selling sport wagon even with the debut of the B9 Tribeca. Subaru wants to sell 30,000 to 36,000 units of the B9 Tribeca during its first 12 months of sales.
Subaru's sales target for the Forester this year is 56,000 retail units. Fleet sales could account for an additional 2,500 units, according to a Subaru spokesman. Last year Subaru sold 58,424 Foresters, including both retail and fleet.
The second-generation Forester debuted in 2003. For 2006, Subaru has redesigned the front end. The rear has new taillamps and a body-color trim panel that features Subaru's six-star emblem more prominently.
Subaru is giving all Foresters with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine the X designation. The engine's horsepower increases to 173, from 165.
The new 2.5-liter XT Limited is the only turbocharged model for 2006. It has 230 hp, 20 more than its predecessor.
Gearbox changes
Both the manual and automatic transmissions have been reworked for better performance. Subaru also has changed the all-wheel-drive system to improve traction.
The ground clearance has been increased to 8.1 inches, from 7.5 inches.
Subaru has not announced prices for the 2006 Forester. The current model ranges from $22,600 to $29,300, including shipping.
Subaru sales effort
Subaru of America is pushing for 200,000-plus U.S. sales this year. Here are its goals.
2004 2005 goal
Baja 7,316 5,500
Forester 58,424 58,500
Impreza 32,209 30,000
Legacy 89,453 93,500
B9 Tribeca — 17,000
Total 187,402 204,500
Subaru sees U.S. sales pushing past 200,000
FARMINGTON, Pa. -- Riding a wave of new vehicles, Subaru of America forecasts 2005 U.S. sales will increase 9 percent over 2004 and break 200,000 units for the first time.
But to reach that target, Subaru needs to sell at least 17,000 units of its new seven-seat B9 Tribeca sport wagon, said Kunio Ishigami, Subaru of America CEO, at a press event here.
Two vehicles will play a big part in Subaru's effort: the face-lifted Forester small sport wagon and the Legacy. The Legacy and the Outback, which use the same platform, were redesigned last year.
Subaru expects to sell 204,500 vehicles in the United States this year, including 10,000 units to fleets, said Fred Adcock, executive vice president of Subaru. Last year Subaru sold a record 187,402 units.
Sales through April were up 5.4 percent. But according to numbers provided by Adcock at the 2006 Forester launch, sales of the Baja and Impreza will decline in 2005 compared with 2004.
Subaru expects to sell about 93,500 Legacy and Outback models this year, up from 89,453 in 2004.
Burden on B9 Tribeca
That means the burden is on the B9 Tribeca, which goes on sale next month. Production of the sport wagon began April 4 at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Ind.
But the Forester will continue to play a vital role. Subaru expects the Forester to remain its top-selling sport wagon even with the debut of the B9 Tribeca. Subaru wants to sell 30,000 to 36,000 units of the B9 Tribeca during its first 12 months of sales.
Subaru's sales target for the Forester this year is 56,000 retail units. Fleet sales could account for an additional 2,500 units, according to a Subaru spokesman. Last year Subaru sold 58,424 Foresters, including both retail and fleet.
The second-generation Forester debuted in 2003. For 2006, Subaru has redesigned the front end. The rear has new taillamps and a body-color trim panel that features Subaru's six-star emblem more prominently.
Subaru is giving all Foresters with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine the X designation. The engine's horsepower increases to 173, from 165.
The new 2.5-liter XT Limited is the only turbocharged model for 2006. It has 230 hp, 20 more than its predecessor.
Gearbox changes
Both the manual and automatic transmissions have been reworked for better performance. Subaru also has changed the all-wheel-drive system to improve traction.
The ground clearance has been increased to 8.1 inches, from 7.5 inches.
Subaru has not announced prices for the 2006 Forester. The current model ranges from $22,600 to $29,300, including shipping.
Subaru sales effort
Subaru of America is pushing for 200,000-plus U.S. sales this year. Here are its goals.
2004 2005 goal
Baja 7,316 5,500
Forester 58,424 58,500
Impreza 32,209 30,000
Legacy 89,453 93,500
B9 Tribeca — 17,000
Total 187,402 204,500
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