Subaru Australia passes the U.S. in percentage of growth. What is driving Subaru sales down under?
Subaru has a problem around the globe. They don’t have enough 2016 Subaru Forester, Outbacks and Crosstreks to sell. The small Japanese automaker is experiencing growing pains not just in the U.S., but also in Australia. Sales of Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicles down under are growing at a faster percentage clip than anywhere else around the globe.
Subaru sales are up a whopping 20.6 percent down under in March and they are up 13.9 percent for the first quarter. Compare that with Subaru of America’s 0.4 percent increase in March and 0.9 perfect in the first quarter and you can see why Subaru Australia is wanting more cars. Their growth is explosive.
Forester leads the way
Subaru’s 2016 Forester is leading the lineup in sales and is up 34.9 percent for the month and 40.4 percent for the year. Subaru Australia Managing Director, Nick Senior, said: “The recent introduction of our Model Year 2016, Forester, Outback and Liberty have driven this strong first quarter results.” Australia is Subaru’s second biggest market for Fuji Heavy Industries after the U.S. Their explosive growth beats the U.S. percentage by far to start the year.
Levorg sports wagon is coming
Subaru Australia gets the new 2016 Levorg sports tourer that will be powered by the WRX 2.0-liter turbo making it a true performance wagon. The U.S. won’t get this sporty model and it should help Australia’s growth to spiral upward even more when it hits showrooms later this year. Subaru also has a new ad campaign in Australia, “Subaru do”, promoting Australians to do more and get more out of life. It’s all working and Subaru’s Aussie boss wants more cars to sell.
Because sales are booming, Senior jumped on a plane and flew to Subaru headquarters in Tokyo, Japan to talk to Subaru’s brass to see about getting a larger allocation of 2016 Subaru Foresters, Outbacks and XV Crosstreks. Senior said, “We won’t rest on our laurels, managing severe stock shortages is a big issue. I’m off to Japan this week to see if we can get more!”
Source: Subaru
Image source: Subaru