Subaru's Sales Slide Continues For 12 Months In-A-Row

Subaru of America's (SOA) sales slide continues in May as the Camden, N.J. automaker reports a 24.8 percent decrease compared with May 2021. They reported 42,526 vehicle sales for May 2022, compared with May 2021 (56,558).

Through the first five months, they have year-to-date sales of 220,620, a 20.8 percent decrease compared with the same period in 2021. Subaru's new model inventory continues to be affected by microchip shortages, supply chain issues, and another plant shutdown announced this week.

Subaru Outback is the top-selling model

The 2022 Subaru Outback was again the top performer in the lineup, and the automaker reports the midsize SUV had 14,724 sales. The Outback was up 5.2 percent compared with May 2021 (13,994 sales).

Jeff Walters, Senior Vice President of Sales, said, "The Subaru Outback captured car buyers' attention in May as they seek out safe, family-friendly vehicles that also boast a sense of fun."

The Outback is the top performer in Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup, with 64,206 models delivered to customers in 2022. The Outback Wilderness is a significant reason, and it's been a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts and customers with active lifestyles.

Ascent sales are up for the third month in a row

The Subaru Ascent sales are up again in May, increasing for the third month in a row by 25.3 percent, with 5,402 3-Row SUVs delivered to customers compared with 4,310 in May 2021. The Ascent is up 9.3 percent year to date, with 25,328 3-Row SUVs sold to families in 2022.

The sizzling hot Crosstrek cooled off in May with 9,894 sales, down 1.2 percent compared with 10,013 sales in May 2021. The Crosstrek is second in total sales, with 59,374 subcompact SUVs sold year-to-date. The hot Crosstrek is up 2.7 percent for the year.

The refreshed Forester had a significant drop in May with 5,496 sales, down a whopping 72.5 percent compared with 20,006 sales in May 2021. Forester is down 50.7 percent through the first five months of the year and is now third in the lineup in sales, with 42,984 sales year-to-date.

Next-generation 2022 BRZ sport coupe sales (201) increased 957.9 percent compared to April 2021 (19). The Legacy sedan was up 13.6 percent, Impreza slid 40.8 percent, and the new 2022 WRX dropped 15.6 percent for May.

"We're continuing to see supply chain challenges across the industry. We focus on delivering the top-notch vehicles and standout customer experience that Subaru is renowned for," said Jeff Walters.

What's next for Subaru?

Subaru of America will increase sales from the new 2023 Subaru Solterra EV compact SUV as it's set to arrive at U.S. retailers this month. The Solterra is Subaru's first all-electric model and its most significant new model launch since the Crosstrek in 2012.

Subaru of America's sales slide continues for twelve months in a row, and it won't improve for a while as the 2022 Forester, 2022 Outback, 2022 Crosstrek, and other new all-wheel-drive vehicles are still in short supply.

You Might Also Like: Subaru Says They Just Ramped Up New U.S. Model Production 85 Percent

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: Subaru USA