bagwell

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/su...oduction-news/

There are few things an automaker likes to do more than beat its sales goals. In Subaru’s case, it is crushing them.

The latest news from the Japanese car brand is that it will hit its North American sales targets a full five years ahead of schedule. In the automotive world, that’s like getting into Harvard fresh out of elementary school; it just doesn’t happen.

Currently, the Outback and Forester are Subaru’s hottest selling models, which were both redesigned in 2014.

In response, Subaru plans to ramp up production and will introduce new vehicles in the U.S. earlier than it had planned. The sales target has also been raised to 600,000 vehicles by the end of the March, 2016. That also means capacity at Subies Lafayette, Indiana plant will be pushed to 394,000 units annually by the end of next year to satisfy demand.

Subaru’s President, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga (who is actually the president of Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries) had this to say, “If only we had more cars, we could be selling more.” Leaders of automotive brands only dream of uttering such words.

Subaru will kick off a new global platform late next year that will underpin models like the next-generation Impreza and will eventually be the bone structure for all models in its lineup. This move will help the automaker reduce costs via greater manufacturing efficiencies.

Down the road, Subaru will roll out a new seven-seat SUV that will replace the Tribeca and a plug-in hybrid model. Additionally, Subaru will move to direct-injection for each of its gas-powered engines to improve fuel economy figures.

bagwell

I know people are screaming for a WRX hatch.

spwolf

Subbie is doing so well in the USA, amazing... rest of the world they still have to work on, but overall amazing growth worldwide and good profits.

cino

iTrader: (1)

More specifically, a WRX STI hatch that can go beat Focus RS in the game that Subaru and Mitsubishi started decades ago.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I heard somewhere a replacement for the defunct B9/Tribeca is in the works, to be larger and with three rows

dseag2

Good for little Subie! Nice to know there is enough share out there for everyone.

mmarshall

Subaru is also doing well in the U.S.because the last two winters have been long, brutally cold, and snowy in vast areas East of the Rockies. It is a way of getting into a generally reliable and well-built AWD vehicle quickly and inexpensively....and many are obviously jumping at the chance. Not long ago, I went car-shopping with an ex-co-worker of mine (at his request)....and he went home with a new Subaru XV Crosstrek. He loves it.

svelt

screaming for a BRZ STi too

bagwell

doubt it will happen - sales of BRZ have dropped like crazy (due to lack of HP IMO).
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...BRZ+sales+drop

RX469

iTrader: (1)

Which is why everyone's screaming for that BRZ STi!

Bring it on. Sales go up!

doge

lololol... how do you figure? Ford has been making hot hatches before the sti was coined.

subaru's sti has been the same ol for a decade. in comparison the mustang gained over 100hp in the same period of time.

chikoo

Couple of questions come to mind:

1. Were the forecasts low to begin with?
2. Where did they grab the market share from? Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Volvo, etc In other words, who lost sales to them?

doge

There will be an sti however it will be a none turbo car

Aron9000

I don't see it happening because Subaru and Toyota won't agree on who's paying for the engineering. Subaru is probably afraid that a fast BRZ will cannobolize WRX sales.

I argue that the WRX is cannibalizing BRZ sales. More practical body style, AWD, way faster, only slightly less direct handling, about the same price. Neither car is a real looker IMO, which really hurts the BRZ, coupes live/die on their styling.

mmarshall

Another thing that may (?) be impacting on BR-Z sales is its own less-expensive Scion FR-S twin.