LA Auto Show Preview: Subaru Impreza Sedan Concept

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. SMASHES SALES RECORD: AUGUST 2016 BEST SALES MONTH EVER
August 2016 marks best-ever sales month in company history Record August - monthly sales increase 14.7 percent over August 2015 57 consecutive months of month-over-month growth Best August ever for Outback, Legacy and Forester Best month ever for Outback and Forester 30 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold 37 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold Cherry Hill, N.J. -  Subaru of America, Inc. today reported 60,418 vehicle sales for August 2016, a 14.7 percent increase over August 2015 sales of 52,697. August marks the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in December 2015 (56,274). The company also reported year-to-date sales of 391,969 vehicles, a 4.4 percent gain over the same period in 2015.
August marked the 30th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Outback, Legacy and Forester sales were notably strong as each carline achieved its best August ever. Outback posted a 56.2 percent increase, Legacy posted a 35.5 percent increase, while Forester posted a 11.9 percent sales increase in August. Outback and Forester also enjoyed new all-time monthly sales records.
 
“August 2016 will always be remembered as a ‘Month for the Ages’ because it is the first time our franchise exceeded sales of 60,000 vehicles in a month,” said Thomas J. Doll, President and COO of Subaru of America, Inc. “These epic results show what our franchise is capable of achieving and is the outcome of the dedicated efforts of our retailers who made these record-setting sales possible.”
 
“The Subaru of America team is thrilled to set an all-time sales record in the month of August. It is an exciting accomplishment and we’re looking forward to continued success over the remaining months of this year,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales. “Our retailers continue to sell at high levels of efficiency and we are grateful for their outstanding efforts,” Walters continued.
Carline Aug-16 Aug-15 % Chg Aug-16 Aug-15 % Chg   MTD MTD MTD YTD YTD YTD Forester 19,658 17,565 11.9% 114,769 114,204 0.5% Impreza 5,319 7,074 -24.8% 40,284 44,907 -10.3% WRX/STI 3,194 3,367 -5.1% 22,488 22,118 1.7% Legacy 5,800 4,281 35.5% 41,369 37,954 9.0% Outback 17,358 11,113 56.2% 109,448 93,293 17.3% BRZ 302 498 -39.4% 3,062 3,832 -20.1% Crosstrek 8,787 8,799 -0.1% 60,549 59,324 2.1% TOTAL 60,418 52,697 14.7% 391,969 375,632 4.4%

If there was one vehicle that was the talk during Monterey Car Week, it would have to be the Cadillac Escala concept. Unlike other concepts that Cadillac has shown during this time, various ideas will appear on future Cadillac models.
"There's a lot of stuff that's being captured here. All of that won't necessarily find itself coming out in one car; it will be spread through the portfolio," said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac's president to Automotive News.
One of the key items that will be spread around is the Escala's design. Compared to Cadillac's sharp and angular design language, the design on Escala is a complete departure with curves and smooth edges. de Nysschen said production models with this look will arrive in 2019. Automotive News speculates that the next-generation CTS (soon to be renamed CT5) will be the first model to sport the look.
The twin-turbo 4.2L V8 is another part that will be appearing in future Cadillac models. One vehicle that might get it is the current CT6 sedan. When asked, de Nysschen wouldn't give an answer, only saying the brand is considering it for future models.
But what about the Escala itself? If we go back to our original story on Friday, we pulled a quote from the press release made by de Nysschen saying the following,
“Escala is a concept car, but one based upon the unrelenting rise of our product substance. Depending on the development of market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan.”
Would it take the place of the long-rumored CT8 or sit beside it? No one is quite sure. But de Nysschen did reveal one important detail about the CT8 project. The model is on hold, not canceled as some reports have said earlier in the year. The reason comes down consumers going toward crossovers and SUVs at a quick rate.
"These are precisely the things that we are just saying: "Let's step back a moment and see whether it's just an energy/price thing, or is it a more sustained shake-up?'"
de Nysschen said the brand is looking at various options at the moment such as merging the CT6 and CT8 into one vehicle like the Escala, using a new crossover as the flagship, or doing some combination of the two.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

View full article

If there was one vehicle that was the talk during Monterey Car Week, it would have to be the Cadillac Escala concept. Unlike other concepts that Cadillac has shown during this time, various ideas will appear on future Cadillac models.
"There's a lot of stuff that's being captured here. All of that won't necessarily find itself coming out in one car; it will be spread through the portfolio," said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac's president to Automotive News.
One of the key items that will be spread around is the Escala's design. Compared to Cadillac's sharp and angular design language, the design on Escala is a complete departure with curves and smooth edges. de Nysschen said production models with this look will arrive in 2019. Automotive News speculates that the next-generation CTS (soon to be renamed CT5) will be the first model to sport the look.
The twin-turbo 4.2L V8 is another part that will be appearing in future Cadillac models. One vehicle that might get it is the current CT6 sedan. When asked, de Nysschen wouldn't give an answer, only saying the brand is considering it for future models.
But what about the Escala itself? If we go back to our original story on Friday, we pulled a quote from the press release made by de Nysschen saying the following,
“Escala is a concept car, but one based upon the unrelenting rise of our product substance. Depending on the development of market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan.”
Would it take the place of the long-rumored CT8 or sit beside it? No one is quite sure. But de Nysschen did reveal one important detail about the CT8 project. The model is on hold, not canceled as some reports have said earlier in the year. The reason comes down consumers going toward crossovers and SUVs at a quick rate.
"These are precisely the things that we are just saying: "Let's step back a moment and see whether it's just an energy/price thing, or is it a more sustained shake-up?'"
de Nysschen said the brand is looking at various options at the moment such as merging the CT6 and CT8 into one vehicle like the Escala, using a new crossover as the flagship, or doing some combination of the two.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Subaru's green credentials aren't the best as it only sells one hybrid in the U.S. (XV Crosstrek Hybrid) and one in Japan (Impreza Sport Hybrid). But that could be changing in 2021.
 
Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun reports that Subaru plans on launching an electric crossover in the U.S. by 2021. This crossover is expected to use Subaru's new modular platform that was revealed earlier this year. The report doesn't say anything about power or possible range, nor does it say how it got this information.
 
When asked by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Fuji Heavy spokesman Masato Saito said the company hasn't made any decision on introducing an electric vehicle. Saito went on to say that if Subaru did go forward with an EV, it would likely target the North American marketplace.
 
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

Subaru of America, Inc. Reports Record July Sales   CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --  Record July - monthly sales increase 3.1 percent over July 2015 56 consecutive months of month-over-month growth Best July ever for Legacy and Outback 29 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold 36 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record July 2016 sales of 52,093 vehicles, a 3.1 percent gain over the same month a year ago. The company also reported year-to-date sales of 331,551 vehicles, a 2.7 percent gain over the same period in 2015.   July marked the 29th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Legacy and Outback sales were notably strong as each carline achieved its best July ever.   "Subaru is pleased to be celebrating another sales record," said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "These milestones are the result of the dedication and commitment of our retailers who passionately serve the needs of our customers. 2016 looks set to be our eighth year of consecutive sales records, with more new product yet to come."    "With several 2017 models – including Legacy and Outback – now arriving at retailer show rooms, we expect sales to continue to grow throughout the remainder of the year," said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "At our current pace, selling over 600,000 vehicles in 2016 is certainly within reach."   Also in July, Subaru Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek won their segments in the Crossover SUV categories for the 2016 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards. These awards, based on customer responses, recognize vehicles that best meet the expectations of their owners. Both Outback and Forester won their segments for the second year in a row.  
Carline
Jul-16
Jul-15
% Chg
Jul-16
Jul-15
% Chg
  MTD
MTD
MTD
YTD
YTD
YTD
Forester
14,856
15,811
-6.0%
95,111
96,639
-1.6%
Impreza
5,200
6,527
-20.3%
34,965
37,833
-7.6%
WRX/STI
3,288
3,716
-11.5%
19,294
18,751
2.9%
Legacy
5,212
4,500
15.8%
35,569
33,673
5.6%
Outback
14,704
10,863
35.4%
92,090
82,180
12.1%
BRZ
353
525
-32.8%
2,760
3,334
-17.2%
Crosstrek
8,480
8,575
-1.1%
51,762
50,525
2.5%
TOTAL
52,093
50,517
3.1%
331,551
322,935
2.7%