The Auto Writer

Japanese automaker Subaru is having a banner year thanks to its hot selling Forester and other small, fuel efficient models.

I certainly don’t write a whole lot about Subaru as the Japanese automaker pretty much operates in the shadow of most other car manufacturers, brands with a much larger product portfolio. Then again, there isn’t much that Subaru sells that is of interest to me personally.

However, I will give credit where credit is due by offering my recognition to Subaru for its leading role in the American automotive industry. No, not its sales volume — they’ll be lucky to move a record 200,000 Subarus this year — rather the company’s unexpected sales leadership.

Through August 2008, Subaru is seeing net gains for the year totaling 5.9%, a number that is beating every single brand on the market. Even Honda with its small car dominance isn’t able to keep up, likely for the reason that they can’t replenish their inventories fast enough. Still, Subaru is the winner and I am acknowledging that.

Going Green and Making Green

Subaru has long touted its green image and that has been paying off handsomely for them. The company sells only one “big” vehicle — the Tribeca — but is dominated by smaller cars and utes which are powered by thrifty four cylinder engines. For August 2008, Subara saw its sales increase by 14.2% thanks mainly to a 73% jump in Forester sales.

“Subaru is proud to provide a safer, superior driving experience for its customers,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president for Subaru of America. “Equipped with unique symmetrical All-Wheel Drive technology and the Subaru boxer engine, the Subaru product line, renowned for durability, reliability, traction and “active safety,” represents one of the highest repurchase-loyalty ratings in the U.S. market,” Doll added.

Impreza and Legacy sales were also up for Subura while Tribeca and Outback sales dropped for the month.

Subaru also likes to boast about its green image through the way the company manufactures their vehicles. At the automaker’s Indiana plant, Subaru says that no goods they produce are ever sent to landfills while the plant’s land is designated as a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, the only car factory in the US with that distinction.

News & Photo Credit: Subaru of America, Inc.