End of year USA sales numbers for Subaru

Philip, thank you for posting the report. The shear numbers show whats really happening. I can understand the low numbers for Scion (toyota) because its new, also the numbers for Aston-Martin (a niche car) and Rolls-Wretched (Self Explanitory). But as I read(here and other) all the production/recall/failure problems that Subaru has it's NO surprise that the likes of Chevy,Toyota,Dodge Nissan and for god's sake even Hyundai (VW..thats a joke!) has blown the doors off of Subaru. Subaru's piss-poor mechanical failures,sloppy workmanship and lousy resale value will haunt them for a long time. As far as the "line up at the gas pump" Subaru's get some of the WORST mileage in their class then a LOT of the other manufactures, thats a fact.

Are the Outback numbers added with the Legacy numbers?

Is this on something???

DR RASTIS FAF00FNIK wrote:

problems

Well, this is what happens when you build an ugly "car" with no market niche. If they had removed the back seat and 2nd set of doors and made a new version of the Brat, they would have had to build extra capacity at the factory to keep up with demand.

No that's what happens when you don't advertise a car most people have no idea exists. I've personally been responsible for selling 2 of these, aside from my own, to co-workers who had never heard of them till they saw mine. Concerning your no niche comment, stop talking out of your rear.

I think you're being a little hard on Philip.

The Baja design tends to be quite revolting to many Legacy and Imprezza owners, myself included. I would *never* buy one. So if Subaru is marketing it to that group of people, it's not a marketing niche.

I think that we can both agree that it has to be marketed to a different group than your typical Legacy/Imprezza owner and that Subaru hasn't done as much as it could to do that.

Currently have 3 Subis ...but they have moved out of my car buying niche. I need a utility car at a reasonable price ...not a performance car with low gas mileage, low resale value and high maintenance costs. Is this a reflection of the GM purchase of a percentage of the company?

Jim Stewart wrote:

Nope....."GM" and "GMAC" are run with a dollar sign in mind. They will pick up car finance where others won't even think of going. It's kind of like the 2 or 3 companies that will still finance a mobile/manufactured home without at least 15% down. If the financial venture fails, it's a major "writeoff" for the lender....something they sometimes need badly. This is something you and I can not do easy. If you make a ton of money selling Suburbans,Hummers,Tahoe,Envoy's...it's good to have a loss too..helps to balance the books :)

Actually, Jim, I didn't make that comment, I just posted the numbers. It's tough to keep up with multiposted messages.

In the same issue, there was an interview with one of the senior managers of Subaru who admitted the Baja was not doing well, but would be kept in the catalog. Considering the shared parts, they're probably still making money even at these volumes.

Philip

Right you are. I guess it's nickelbon...

The Baja failed because Subaru tried to get the active youth to buy it but only sold it at foirst loaded with leather at 26000 dollars. No college/jiust out will pay that much when the element, and other cars were a lot less and promoted the active lifestyle

I firmly believe after reading reviews and discussions on this and other boards that the Baja is a love/hate vehicle. Subaru did no advertising with the Baja and has let it languish in limbo. If it does become a discontinued model they have only themselves to blame. I love mine, but do wish they had made better engineering decisions.

Plonk!

I agree with you that the Baja is a love it or hate it vehicle. I love the concept, but I hate the looks. In fact, I have always hated the looks of Subaru's. I liked the redesign of the Outback though. So I bought one. I also like the Tribeca that will arrive later this year.

any reason the numbers for honda and mazda are missing?