Subaru of America, Inc. Announces Takeshi Tachimori as Chairman, President and CEO Tachimori Replaces Yoshio Hasunuma in Customary Leadership Transition

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced that Mr. Takeshi Tachimori, corporate senior vice president and chief general manager of the Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Division at Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), will replace Mr. Yoshio Hasunuma as chairman, president and CEO of Subaru of America effective April 1, 2011.

"We have seen dramatic increases in our sales and profitability under Mr. Hasunuma's leadership.  While we are sorry to see him leave, we look forward to his continued work in our market," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America.  "We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Tachimori in his new role as part of this regular business rotation and look forward to our continued success under his leadership."

In his two years as president and CEO of SOA, Hasunuma led the company to record market share (2.3%), record sales and unprecedented growth.  Currently, Subaru is the only automotive manufacturer with three consecutive years of sales increases.

Tachimori joined FHI in 1977 and achieved various leadership roles with the company throughout his career.  Tachimori has worked in the Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Department since 2003 as:

• senior general manager (2003)
• corporate vice president, senior general manager (2006)
• corporate vice president, chief general manager; president and CEO, Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (2009)
• corporate senior vice president, chief general manager (2010)

Tachimori graduated from The University of Tokyo with a BA in aerospace engineering. 

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=232

Subaru Models Awarded Four 'Top Picks' From Kiplinger's Personal Finance

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiplinger's Personal Finance recognized three Subaru vehicles for excellence in four areas:

• The Forester 2.5 XT Premium AWD was designated "Best in Class" for Small Crossovers.
• The Outback 2.5i LTD AWD won "Best in Class" and "Best Resale" in the Wagons category.
• The Impreza WRX AWD four-door was named "Best Resale" in the $25,000 to $30,000 category.

Kiplinger's evaluates "Best in Class" winners on performance, value and safety.  "Best Resale" winners were selected using the Kelley Blue Book's estimated trade-in price.

"We are very pleased that consumers who do their research with Kiplinger's Personal Finance will notice that Subaru vehicles stand out in several categories," said Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc.  "We strive to bring unparalleled performance, value and safety to consumers.  We know that all three are important in the decision-making process, especially with big ticket purchases."

Kiplinger's notes that the Forester -- also recognized by the publication in 2009 as the "Best New Crossover" -- boasts "agile handling, high resale values, [and] loads of cargo space."  The Forester, like all other Subaru models, is also a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2011 is the second year that the Outback was awarded "Best in Class." In addition to "stylish design, strong resale values and heaps of utility," the publication calls the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine "powerful without pushing down fuel economy."

Kiplinger's also explains that the "turbocharged version of the Impreza boosts the three-year resale value from the base model's 51% to 55% -- and bumps up horsepower by 95 to 265 horses. That's a feat few in this category can achieve with only four cylinders."

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=230