Fuji Heavy to focus on U.S. to lift mid-term profits

[mkaresh]

Reuters is reporting that Fuji Heavy's new business plan places more emphasis on the U.S. and less on Japan. They'll be opening an office in LA and paying more attention to customer needs.

 

Excerpt:

 

 

Since taking the wheel last June, Chief Executive Ikuo Mori, who hails from a marketing background, had been crafting a new roadmap for growth, stressing the need to build cars that are not only well-engineered but respond to drivers' changing needs.

 

"There's been a major gap between what we produced and what the market wanted," he told a news conference to detail the much-awaited four-year plan. As one step to close that gap, Mori said its New Jersey-based U.S. headquarters would open a satellite office in Los Angeles to better define customer needs and boost sales in the elusive Sun Belt states of the southern and southwest United States.

 

Full article:

 

Fuji Heavy to focus on U.S. to lift mid-term profits

 

So, does this mean the return of the LGT wagon, or that the next Legacy will be a Camry clone?

[NutBucket]

They're gonna be in for a surprise when the address of that SoCal office is revealed. I'll go put in my $0.02;)

[rao]

Unfortunately I think it means that they are headed for trouble. If they can't make money in Japan they are going to be even more lost in the US.

[mkaresh]

My money's on Torrance as the address of the new office. Right next to the building with "Toyota" on it. Or even inside that building.

[hutru01]

What they need to do is go hire some new marketing execs and change that damn Sheryl Crow commercial BS.

[gianspi]

What they need to do is go hire some new marketing execs and change that damn Sheryl Crow commercial BS.

 

+9999999999999999999

[SiouxBe]

I guess they are hoping to increase sales by cutting available model configurations back and limiting color choices

 

That's exactly the problem with S.O.A. They always want to cut back models offered in the U.S. market

[godwhomismike]

I guess they are hoping to increase sales by cutting available model configurations back and limiting color choices

 

 

Borat says "high five" " Verrrry niiice"

 

If they did that anymore the only color choices left would be Black and white. The color choices available on the Legacy really suck. I'd be willing to pay a grand or two for a make your own color combo. WR Blue with the interior from the '07 Spec B would make me a very happy camper. Right now - the color combos are boring at best.

 

I really wish the folks from SOA would read our complaints on these boards and address them.

 

 

.

[SLegacy99]

MAYBE IF THEY'D OFFER SOME MORE EXCITING VEHICLES!

 

The current lineup is pretty good. But how do you appeal to those who feel that they don't need AWD? Well the WRX was a pretty good start. However, I read about the Lexus and Acura concepts, that are bold and yes those companies have the capital to do it, but hell Subaru take a risk. More and more companies are offering AWD in their performance cars. Subaru should get on the ball with that, given that they built a reputation with it. I know that if Subaru offered a high end sports car in the $40K or higher range people like my dad would buy one.

 

Therefore, Subaru should build up their capital by looking at companies like Honda and Toyota and Cheverolet who are selling lots of small cars like the Fit, the Yaris, and the Aveo and go hmmmmm we have this B5 concept, let throw a 2.0L or a 2.2L and/or a 2.0L turbo in there and enjoy the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ flow.

 

 

 

 

And if you think about it here we all are. Many of us are young and when we can afford it we'll get rid of our Legacies and buy BMW or Audi, etc. If Subaru offered something to compete with that they could hold on to us, because the majority of us would buy another Subaru. They just have to offer what we want.

[NutBucket]

My money's on Torrance as the address of the new office. Right next to the building with "Toyota" on it. Or even inside that building.

Well that seems obvious doesn't it?

 

Not too far from my home/office either;)

[Jon in CT]

My money's on Torrance as the address of the new office. Right next to the building with "Toyota" on it. Or even inside that building.

It seems more likely they'd share some space with the people who work at:

 

Subaru Research & Development, Inc.

6431 Global Drive

Cypress, CA 90630

Tel: 714-828-1875

Fax: 714-828-2470

[red beast]

subaru, save your money and invite us over.

 

we'll tell you what we like and dislike.

[Deer Killer]

subaru, save your money and invite us over.

 

we'll tell you what we like and dislike.

 

http://girtby.net/images/homer-car.gif

[RobE]

What they need to do is go hire some new marketing execs and change that damn Sheryl Crow commercial BS.

http://girtby.net/images/homer-car.gif

[PhilT]

Isn't Jon from TDC moving to the West Coast also ?

 

Hmmmm, coincidence ?

[iyalla]

They should stop going after Acura and Lexus and concentrate on beating their stable mates Honda and Toyota.

If a buyer is comparing cars or wagons to buy and the only thing on the "For" column for buying a Subaru is AWD then dude you have problems.

[Zoombaru]

They should stop going after Acura and Lexus and concentrate on beating their stable mates Honda and Toyota.

 

 

This article seems to indicate those are their intentions exactly.

 

It seems to say "No more upscale intentions" and "What the F are we doing down in Texas?!?"

 

*Sigh*

[Beanboy]

They can't compete against Honda and Toyota.

 

In general, Subarus are smaller inside, less fuel efficient, feel less refined, have less features and cost about the same as comparable Honda and Toyota models. Offering the WRX can't make up for the rest of the line.

 

Until most of the above changes, Subaru isn't going to see any real long-term increase in sales numbers. Part of the problem might be money to make said changes, although there are plenty of little things they could do that wouldn't be a huge burden for them.