CTlegacy06 Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02-01-2008/0004747947&EDATE= Here's Autoblogs by the numbers to compare with other makes: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/01/by-the-numbers-january-2008/ Total Legacy Sedan 1451 +17% Total Outback 3435 -15% (incl. Legacy Wagon) Total Impreza 3091 +15% Total Forester 2402 -12% Total Tribeca 910 -19% Jan 2008: 11,289 Jan 2007: 12,074 Total sales down 6.5%Seems Forester/Tribeca are getting hit hard especially with the general declining SUV sales across the market. Though Subaru's "smaller" models seem to do well probably capturing former SUV owners who want AWD and better fuel efficiency. The Outback I feel is kind of a joke (Sorry) a lifted suspension with side panels? Lol. Its just another Trim level to the Legacy though sadly it still outnumbers the Legacy. Personally I feel that the Legacy/Outback cannibalize each other and the separation between them needs to be eliminated completely. Also I believe Subaru should focus more on its compact nonturbo models. Offer the 5EAT to N/A models (phase out the 4EAT so there are only 5EAT/5MT/6MT) and offer a smaller i4 boxer (2.0L or 2.2L from Europe/Japan). Thus they will be able to capture more people trading in SUVs that want better mpg along with AWD. Sure Subarus are relatively slightly more efficient than their AWD competition, they need to push more into greener territory. With 20city and 27highway , 22combined the best they do right now, they have a long way to go to reaching the new CAFE standards. Subaru's 1998 Legacy AWD got 20/27 aswell... No improvement in fuel economy over 10 yrs lol. http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/12/17/subaru-legacy-gas-mileage/
Guest Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Interesting numbers about Legacy vs. Outback. Wonder if the new look helps Legacy and hurts Outback.
Beanboy Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 As expected. Curious about new Impreza. Sales for Impreza have been elevated for months because of fire sales to get rid of 2007 stock. 15% is good, but not great for a brand-new version. Hopefully it doesn;t fall back to old levels. 910 Tribecas? For premium offering that make the most for Subaru, bad sign if it dropped 19% versus last year. -B http://www.standardshift.com
jagcars26 Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 AFAIK ,,,New WRX sales are flat everywhere. Forester sales may be down due to folks waiting for the new model maybe.
Garandman Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 The real question is how long Subaru can last as an independent. Who Dares Wins スバル
Guest Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 The real question is how long Subaru can last as an independent. As long as FHI is profitable. It does not need always grow sales. You can stay small and fit. It could concentrate on preserving it's customer base, keep constant/modestly growing sales and improve effectiveness to rein in costs. Unfortunately, Subaru at least SOA is not big on keeping existing customers happy.
CTlegacy06 Posted February 2, 2008 Author Posted February 2, 2008 As long as FHI is profitable. It does not need always grow sales. You can stay small and fit. It concentrate on preserving it's customer base, keep constant/modestly growing sales and improve effectiveness to rein in costs. Unfortunately, Subaru at least SOA is not big on keeping existing customers happy. You can say that again... IMO the Impreza's keep getting uglier and uglier...
SLegacy99 Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Subaru's 1998 Legacy AWD got 20/27 aswell... No improvement in fuel economy over 10 yrs lol. http://www.mpgomatic.com/2007/12/17/subaru-legacy-gas-mileage/ Different EPA testing methods. By today's methods a'98 would get 17/24. Which is entirely a good picture either considering my '99 gets over 30 on the hwy. And Subaru should be getting CVTs into their N/A cars. Not so much 5EATS.
Garandman Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 As long as FHI is profitable. It does not need always grow sales. You can stay small and fit. It could concentrate on preserving it's customer base, keep constant/modestly growing sales and improve effectiveness to rein in costs. Unfortunately, Subaru at least SOA is not big on keeping existing customers happy.The head gasket problem on the 2.5l fours has murdered the traditional Subaru owner loyalty. I'm talking about people like my sister-in-law, who is on her 5th Subaru. Subaru handled this very, very poorly, denying there's any sort of problem. Ford and Toyota both handled similar problems in a way that was much, much more satisfactory for the customer. The Legacy platform is already growing long of tooth. I wouldn't be surprised to see Toyota increase their investment in Subaru, which helps Toyota with production capacity and gives them an outlet for boutique products like the rumored co-branded RWD sports car. Who Dares Wins スバル
SLegacy99 Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 But also keep in mind that HG issue was only on 8% of the 2.5Ls. Which isn't too many, though it is enough to spoil their reputation. But a loyalist like me (on my 3rd 2.5L all from the '96-'01 Era) has not had a single HG problem. It has cemented me.
rao Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 They don't make cars that people want to buy (at least not very many people); it is that simple. Their new pricing "strategy" shows that they are out of touch with the market. There is nothing in the pipeline or anything else to indicate a change in the trend any time soon. I was talking about this over a year ago and people said I was crazy, well who is crazy now?? Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT
jagcars26 Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 Agreed/\ It would really be nice if someone from FHI would come over here and straighten out the friggen mess that SOA has made of this market. The folks at the dealership(not small) that I am close with have been scratching their heads and doing this:rolleyes: when it comes to recent decisions made by SOA concerning product lineup,pricing,option pkgs etc etc Even the fanboys are jumping ship and that is not good.
Guest Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 Agreed/\ It would really be nice if someone from FHI would come over here and straighten out the friggen mess that SOA has made of this market. The folks at the dealership(not small) that I am close with have been scratching their heads and doing this:rolleyes: when it comes to recent decisions made by SOA concerning product lineup,pricing,option pkgs etc etc Even the fanboys are jumping ship and that is not good. Could you share more specifics about the dealer complaints? (I am sure it's not lack of LGT MT wagon, heh) I heard dealers complain about the new Impreza looks, but apparently the sales are not bad. AFAIK, SOA is led by a Japanese guy now and e.g. Legacy wagon was dropped under his command.
1-3-2-4 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 The Outback I feel is kind of a joke (Sorry) a lifted suspension with side panels? Lol. Its just another Trim level to the Legacy though sadly it still outnumbers the Legacy. Personally I feel that the Legacy/Outback cannibalize each other and the separation between them needs to be eliminated completely. I agree my mom always asks me if I'm in the car with her and she see's a outback she always asks what more does it offer then a Legacy. and I agree with the lifted outback.. it just looks odd period.
CTlegacy06 Posted February 4, 2008 Author Posted February 4, 2008 And then there's Canada: Total sales over Jan Last year = +10.4% (1,202 sold) Legacy = +36.3% (454 sold) Outback = +54.6% (252 sold) Tribeca = +190.5% (122 sold) No mention of the Impreza Thats similar to the time when Suzuki had like a 300% increase in sales... but that was because they will selling 10 vehicles the yr before lol... The gains in Canada I believe do not make up for the loses in the US. Also now that the Canadian dollar is closer to the USD, didn't they lower the pricing greatly so they are making less profit on a vehicle than before?
iyalla Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 They don't make cars that people want to buy (at least not very many people); it is that simple. Their new pricing "strategy" shows that they are out of touch with the market. There is nothing in the pipeline or anything else to indicate a change in the trend any time soon. I was talking about this over a year ago and people said I was crazy, well who is crazy now?? You and me both Rob If AWD and the Cross Over is your nitch what happens when everyone else gets in on it too. Answer: Subaru declining sales.
SLegacy99 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 You and me both Rob If AWD and the Cross Over is your nitch what happens when everyone else gets in on it too. Answer: Subaru declining sales. They should be filling other nitches to make up for that. I think the small car nitch would be a perfect area for SOA to re-enter.
rao Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 They should be filling other nitches to make up for that. I think the small car nitch would be a perfect area for SOA to re-enter. Nope. They need to be where no one else is. That is what the outback WAS. Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT
SLegacy99 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 Nope. They need to be where no one else is. That is what the outback WAS. Well I think the best way to do that it to offer an Outback that posses all of the elements it has now, but also has a dramatic fuel economy advantage over CUVs. That goes for the Forester too seeing as how both the I4 and V6 versions of the Rav 4 are more efficient than it or the Outback. How does SOA do this? Well I think direct injection and CVTs are a quick solution. Diesel and hybrid technology will obviously take a bit longer. But I think that with these gas prices people would be more inclinded to by an Outback if it could get 35 mpg hwy rather than a crossover like the Rouge. Or perhaps the Outback just needs to be bigger.
SLegacy99 Posted February 4, 2008 Posted February 4, 2008 Or maybe Subaru just needs advertising as awesome as this: [ame=http://youtube.com/watch?v=qvAc79o9XX4]YouTube - Etiquette[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_sshN-URJY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_sshN-URJY[/ame]
sn00py Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 not even true, we sold more cars this january than last january.
Garandman Posted February 6, 2008 Posted February 6, 2008 not even true, we sold more cars this january than last january.Who is "we?" Who Dares Wins スバル
CTlegacy06 Posted February 6, 2008 Author Posted February 6, 2008 Troll? These numbers are from Subaru officially....
rbl2 Posted February 8, 2008 Posted February 8, 2008 not even true, we sold more cars this january than last january. This is correct, last years total had alot more rental fleet sales. For 2008 there is a slight increase in retail sales. SOA reports a total number as does most manufacturers, but the reporting number will not always accurately reflect the retail environment.
Viber Posted February 8, 2008 Posted February 8, 2008 There will probably a nice bump overall once gets their entire lineup updated. Impreza last year, now Forester. Outback and Legacy should be next year.
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