Feature Walk-Around of the All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza

Mr Takeuchi, project general manager of the Impreza line, from Fuji Heavy Industries explains some of the more unique enhancements that have been done to the all-new 2012 Impreza.

2012 Subaru Impreza Spied Completely Uncovered

Subaru’s brass was only prepared for us to see the silhouette of its new all-wheel-drive, 36-mpg compact sedan—but that hasn’t stopped our army of intrepid spy photographers from catching the 2012 Impreza in the buff today.

The new Impreza borrows quite a bit of styling from its older sibling, the Legacy—especially the headlights and the muscular rear haunches. Beyond that, picking out the design features that are reminiscent of other cars turns into a game of I Spy as played by the Micro Machines spokesman and his family. The grille looks like the Cruze’s! The greenhouse reminds me of the Saturn Ion’s!

In truth, the Impreza is one of the few cars with design that almost doesn’t matter. Most buyers will be more interested in the all-weather traction and the excellent claimed fuel economy. A smaller set of buyers will be drawn to the Impreza’s evil twin, the WRX. And while this new Impreza should clean up nicely when fit with a wide-body kit and massive rims, history tells us that even when the WRX is a bug-eyed beast, buyers are lured to its beautiful performance.

We’ll bring you full coverage of the new Impreza from the New York auto show later this month.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-subaru-impreza-spied-completely-uncovered/

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

Pre-Game Road Trip

Referee Andrew gathers supplies and puppies in preparation for the Puppy Bowl.

Subaru Dealers

Subaru of America, Inc. Reports Record January 2011 Sales

--Sales continue to climb in fourth calendar year of growth --

-- up 21% year-over-year--

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the back of record-breaking sales in 2010, Subaru of America, Inc. today reported a continued upward swing for the Subaru brand by posting record January sales of 18,858, up 21% versus January 2010.

The company finished 2010 as a top 10 sales brand, and the only manufacturer to show a sales increase for three straight years.  As in 2010, Legacy, Outback and Forester models led the January sales increases.

Now firmly established as a 2% plus market share brand, Subaru products continue to demonstrate their suitability for today's market, and with its innovative cut-through-the-clutter Marketing programs such as the upcoming "Super Sunday Dog Walk" where Subaru invites dog owners to get some exercise at half-time, awards for safety from the IIHS, resale values from KBB and residual values from ALG, the brand is clearly in a healthy position.

Read More: http://media.subaru.com/index.php?s=43&item=218

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Subaru Parts Ways with Toyota with First Hybrid

Reports are coming in that Subaru will be debuting its first hybrid vehicle by 2013.

Subaru first teased a hybrid vehicle almost six years ago. The automaker feels the fuel economy offered by its present models can weather any moderate increases in gas prices, but according to Tom Doll, COO of Subaru of America, the addition of a hybrid model will only strengthen its position as an eco-conscious automaker.

Details on the system — or even which vehicles will be offered with it — are still scarce, but if the final product resembles what the automaker previewed with its 2005 B5-TPH concept, expect Subaru’s hybrid system to sandwich an electric motor between the engine and transmission. Interestingly, the vehicle will not use a hybrid drive system adapted from that used by corporate parent Toyota. Instead, Subaru’s system will be unique, and most importantly, compatible with both boxer engines and all-wheel-drive systems. Seeing as how the automaker has been working with electronics giant NEC to develop lithium-ion battery packs since 2002, such a battery could very well make it into the production model. Subaru has also been tinkering with lithium-ion capacitor technologies for some time.

Read More: http://blogs.automotive.com/6708338/concept-cars/subaru-parts-ways-with-toyota-with-first-hybrid/index.html

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