December 2017: Subaru of America

[William Maley]

January 3, 2018 , Cherry Hill, N.J. -

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 2017 AS BEST-EVER SALES MONTH; SETS BEST-EVER YEARLY SALES RECORD

• Best December ever - monthly sales increase 5.4 percent over December 2016
• 73 consecutive months of yearly month-over-month growth
• Best December ever for Crosstrek and Impreza
• Best year ever for Outback, Impreza and Crosstrek
• 46 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Outbacks sold
• 53 consecutive months of more than 10,000 Foresters sold
• 10 consecutive months of 50,000+ vehicle sales

Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record-breaking sales of 647,956 vehicles for the 2017 calendar year; an increase of 5.4 percent over the previous annual record of 615,132 vehicles set in 2016. This is the ninth consecutive year of record sales for Subaru of America and tenth consecutive year of sales increases.

The December sales total of 63,342 vehicles marks the automaker’s best-ever sales month, topping the previous best month of August 2017 (63,215). December also marks the tenth consecutive month of 50,000+ vehicle sales for the company.

In 2017, Outback, Impreza and Crosstrek sales were notably strong as each achieved new annual sales records. Outback and Impreza finished the year with sales of 188,886 and 86,043, up 3.3 percent and 55.8 percent, respectively. Crosstrek, all-new for 2018, added 110,138 sales to the year-end total, while the Forester achieved 177,563 sales in 2017. Legacy added 49,837 annual sales. On the performance side, the automaker’s WRX and STI models achieved annual sales of 31,358.

“We closed 2017 with our ninth consecutive year of record sales and our tenth consecutive year of sales increases which underscores the successful growth the Subaru brand has enjoyed over this time,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America, Inc. “Since 2008, our franchise has grown at a compound annual growth rate of about 15 percent per year and we have to thank our dedicated retailers, distributors, Subaru Corporation, as well as our passionate colleagues for their commitment in making these record breaking results possible.”

“December represented the best month ever for Subaru of America, capping off the best year in the company’s 50-year history, in both sales and market share,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales. “Subaru is well positioned to continue its success into 2018 with the all-new 3-row Ascent and an upcoming hybrid coming later this year,” added Walters.

Carline	Dec-17	Dec-16	% Chg	Dec-17	Dec-16	% Chg
	MTD	MTD	MTD	YTD	YTD	YTD
Forester	17,441	18,015	-3.2%	177,563	178,593	-0.6%
Impreza	8,037	5,126	56.8%	86,043	55,238	55.8%
WRX/STI	2,424	2,938	-17.5%	31,358	33,279	-5.8%
Legacy	4,593	5,960	-22.9%	49,837	65,306	-23.7%
Outback	18,248	20,695	-11.8%	188,886	182,898	3.3%
BRZ	297	214	38.8%	4,131	4,141	-0.2%
Crosstrek	12,302	10,229	20.3%	110,138	95,677	15.1%
TOTAL	63,342	63,177	0.3%	647,956	615,132	5.3%

[David]

For such a small portfolio, some damn solid numbers.

One does have to wonder how long the BRZ will stick around with such low numbers. Probably as long as Toyota builds a version, then Subaru will badge engineer it.

[A Horse With No Name]

I do love them as a small independent.

[frogger]

With the Ascent coming this year they are in pretty good shape, though it will likely cannibalize some Outback and Forester sales.  Let's see how/when they transition to electric though..

 

[A Horse With No Name]

2 minutes ago, frogger said:

With the Ascent coming this year they are in pretty good shape, though it will likely cannibalize some Outback and Forester sales.  Let's see how/when they transition to electric though..

 

They have a close enough relationship with Toyota that it should be fairly seamless.