yay Subie!!

[AutobahnSHO]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090105/ap_on_bi_ge/subaru_auto_sales

Subaru is 'likely the only automaker to have increased sales in 2008'..

That means I can afford to get a 2008 in 8-12 years... 

[the Teuton]

Subie is a cockroach.  It will live on.

[SVT666]

Subie is a cockroach.  It will live on.

Good analysis.  The current Imprezza looks like one too.

[Cookie Monster]

Subie is a cockroach.  It will live on.

*sigh*

[Tave]

Subaru has a pact with the devil. The rift between heaven and hell starts in Bozeman, Montana, and extends all the way to Vancouver, B.C.

[giant_mtb]

Wooooo!  Go Subaru.

[sportyaccordy]

They love them in Park Slope

[the Teuton]

*sigh*

It's not trolling when it's in a brand-related thread. 

[Speed_Racer]

Interesting that they're the only ones who weren't in the red. But hurray anyways.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'll always have a soft spot for Subarus!

[Rich]

MINI too

http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/01/05/mini-sales-up-a-staggering-29-in-2008/

[Colin]

They also love them in Switzerland......... "farmers' Ferrari" in common parlance.

I like the Legacy and the Forester is OK, but I struggle to like the rest of their range.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Is this really that big of a surprise? We saw Subie was positive back in December when we knew what their sales were through November.

Also, for 2008, Subaru revamped their entire line across the board introducing new models of the Outback, Legacy, Impreza, and Forester, while freshening the exterior of the Tribeca to a more traditional looking CUV. Not only did they revamp their lineup, the updates themselves were seen in large part as a mainstreaming of the brand itself. Subies used to be funky little vehicles that really had a cult following. The updates broadened their appeal to the average consumer.

The problem with this strategy is they really put all of their eggs in one basket. As they go forward, their models will age together and in two years time, their models will be 3 years old with the updates for those vehicles 2 or 3 years away after that? It's going to lead to a steady sales decline without new model introduction.

Last I heard, they had a 7-Passenger Boxy CUV coming out this year. Any possibility that they make a competitor for the Suzuki SX4? A sub-compact with AWD? I'm very curious how Subaru is going to go forward from here. They really must be crossing their fingers hoping the introductions they made in 2008 have more staying power then I believe they do.

With that said, I like Subies. They might have lost their funk, but they still are fun cars and should be pretty reliable over time. My question is why is their no  5 or 6 speed automatics in their vehicles?

[ifcar]

The Legacy/Outback and Tribeca facelifts, and the new Impreza, were 2008 models but the Forester's an 09. Furthermore, the Legacy/Outback have a full redesign coming up soon, so that should provide a sales boost.

And looking at the numbers, it seems the new Forester alone is responsible for the YTD sales gain.

[the Teuton]

With that said, I like Subies. They might have lost their funk, but they still are fun cars and should be pretty reliable over time. My question is why is their no  5 or 6 speed automatics in their vehicles?

There are 5-speed autos in both the Legacy and Tribeca ranges, at least in everything other than the base 2.5i Legacy.

As for the Forester and Impreza, it's simply cost and reliability.

The 4EAT transmission has been around since 1989, and it's stout, reliable, and anymore pretty refined.  A 5-speed would be more expensive, and they'd have to make a whole new driveshaft length for the car.  As it is, Subaru only uses two driveshaft lengths, the automatic's and the 5-speed manual's for the Imp/Forester.  The 6-speed STI transmission uses the automatic's shorter driveshaft.

[Champ]

My friend works at the ad agency that handles Subaru, and is pretty pleased with these results :D

[AutobahnSHO]

They also love them in Switzerland......... "farmers' Ferrari" in common parlance.

I like the Legacy and the Forester is OK, but I struggle to like the rest of their range.

That's funny, since I didn't see hardly any of them in Germany (or the rest of Europe I saw..)