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.

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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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Consumer Report - From the logbook: Subaru Forester

I think it’s fair to say that the Forester is a model many of us recommend to friends and family. For years, it has consistently ranked among the best small SUVs and, as my colleague Tom Mutchler pointed out, is one of the most searched vehicles on our website. The non-turbo versions also have years of better-than-average reliability, making them one of the better used car choices.

Our $25,720 2.5X Premium version--the most popular trim-line--has a few thousand miles under its belt and is in steady demand as the winter months creep in.

Since there seems to be a lot of interest in this model, to be charitable in this holiday season, we thought it would be decent of us to give up a little more of what we know about the Forester.

Here’s a look inside the logbook:

“Bit too much body roll to be sporty, but rides very nicely.”

“Engine feels like it has more reserve than our family’s 2002 model.”

“Automatic transmission is not smooth and can be considered primitive by today’s standards.”

“Comfortable and smooth ride, but a bit noisy.”

“Quick seat heaters are especially nice on cold, 35-degree morning.”

“Seat fits me really well…230-mile trip in one go with no body aches and stiffness.”

“Fit and finish might not be fabulous, but what $25K small SUV is?”

“Maybe the worst stock sound system I’ve heard in 20 years. Radio reception is awful and the speakers sound flat, lifeless and muddy.

“Super practical and easy to live with.”

“Simple and easy to drive.”

“Handy size with a big, well-shaped cargo area.”

“I usually love the Forester, but it feels rather cheap these days.”

“I think I’d take a RAV4. The Forester is nice, but the four-speed automatic transmission belongs in a museum.”

So while it’s clear that the Forester still has its fans, the small SUV is showing its age. Even with the new base engine for 2011, we’re not sure the car has improved all that much. But it still has lots to offer and does many things well. Stay tuned for more--including a full road test--on this popular vehicle.

Read More: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/12/from-the-logbook-subaru-forester.html

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Subaru Rally Team USA Test Session: Car Acclimatization Program for New Driver David Higgins

Watch as David Higgins, new teammate to Dave Mirra at Subaru Rally Team USA for 2011, gets acquainted with his Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car for the very first time. The test session was conducted at the team's proving grounds in upstate NY during the week of November 29, 2010. Road conditions were less than ideal due to a severe storm system having passed through the previous day.

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