Subaru Celebrates Strong Year

SYDNEY – January 6, 2010: Subaru finished 2009 with 36,506 sales, with Forester taking the honours of Australia’s best-selling Sports Utility Vehicle across all categories, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

In a market down 7.4 per cent for the year, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive range dropped just 5.2 per cent - and Impreza achieved its best-ever annual sales, of 12,268.

Among the highlights, combined Forester and Outback sales again dominated the SUV compact segment, with a 20.7 per cent market share for the year.

Forester sold 13,753 in 2009 and Outback 3716, with the latter performing strongly in the last quarter following the introduction of award-winning new generation versions. December Outback sales of 493 were 154.1 per cent up on December 2008.

Impreza grew its share of the Small Car segment from 5.3 per cent in 2008 to 5.9 per cent in 2009, retailing 12,268.

Liberty sales of 5548 also reflected strong interest in the new generation car in the last three months – 719 December sales were up 89.2 per cent on December 2008.

Tribeca sales of 1221 in 2009 included 138 in December, up 45.3 per cent for the month.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: “A year ago it wouldn’t be an understatement to say the outlook was bleak, but it’s pleasing to be in the situation we are in today.

“The strength of the retail network and our value-for-money proposition have been critical to this success, combined with our clear difference in the marketplace, represented by Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and our boxer engines.

“We are delighted by Forester’s ongoing popularity, dominating not only the SUV compact category, but every SUV category overall.

“Impreza has achieved a new annual sales record and there has been strong acceptance of our new Liberty and Outback models, including our first diesel, the Outback 2.0D.

“We finished the year with two Australia’s Best Cars awards and a Fairfax Drive Car of the Year title.

“We now look forward to building on our strong foundations in 2010, with some exciting new models and initiatives.”