It looks like Subaru has teamed up with Guinness World Records to try and set the record for the “largest parade of Subaru cars”.

The recent announcement comes in the form of a press release from Subaru of America. The event is planned to take place on July 11th at 9 am in Itasca, Illinois.

However if you ask me, I don’t think they’ll have much on Wicked Big Meet. Sure, it may be an official Subaru meet, sponsored by SOA themselves, but who drives a Subaru in Illinois? (I honestly don’t know) Why not come to the New England area, where the most Subaru’s are sold? (I believe Vermont is the current leading state)

In addition, I predict they won’t be able to beat the famous Colin McRae ceremony either, which was held with an estimated of 1,100 Subarus. Although McRae’s ceremony and Wicked Big Meet weren’t official, they’re still considered awesome bragging rights.

Subaru of America, Inc.’s Great Lakes Region, in Partnership with the Village of Itasca, Attempts to Set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(TM) Record
- Plans ‘Largest Parade of Subaru Cars’ in the World –
ITASCA, Ill., June 19 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc.’s Great Lakes Region, in partnership with the Village of Itasca, announced today that it will attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(TM) record for the “Largest Parade of Subaru Cars.” The attempt will take place on July 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. The parade will start at 500 Park Boulevard in Itasca, Illinois.

Starting June 22 through July 8, interested participants can register their Subaru in the parade by visiting www.subaru.com/parade.

In celebration of this exciting event, Subaru’s Great Lakes Region will make a donation of $15 per participating Subaru vehicle up to a total donation amount of $7,000. This donation will be shared equally between PAWS Chicago and Salute, Inc. For more information on these organizations please visit their respective websites at www.pawschicago.org/ and www.saluteinc.org/.

An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS(TM) adjudicator will be on site to observe and confirm this record attempt.

In addition to going for the record and helping raise funds for two great organizations, parade participants:

– Will receive a special gift bag (one per car).

– Are invited to attend Itasca Fest following the GUINNESS WORLD
RECORDS(TM) attempt. This fest is great for the entire family and
features: live entertainment, carnival rides, food, bingo, kids’
entertainment, a three-on-three basketball tournament, and NASA’s
“Journey to Tomorrow” exhibit. For more information visit
www.itasca.com.

– Are eligible for a special event room rate of $89 per night* at The
Westin Chicago Northwest hotel. For your convenience, this four-star,
four-diamond hotel is located within walking distance from the start
of the parade. To make a reservation, simply visit
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarG…9812&key=A9AB8.
The event rate is good for parade participants only and based on
availability.
* Rate does not include tax.

Subaru of America came out with a press release this morning regarding the 2010 Subaru Legacy. Not only is the new 2010 Legacy bigger, wider, and more powerful, but it also features increased fuel economy as well.

SOA has announced that the new 2010 Legacy will achieve 23 mpg around town, and a staggering 31 mpg on the highway. That’s very impressive for a mid-sized sedan, and it clearly shows that Subaru set increased fuel economy as a priority while engineering the new 2010 model. However, it should also be noted that these EPA figures were obtained using the base-model 2.5i sedan, coupled with the CVT transmission.

For those of you looking for a bit more power, it’s suggested to bump up to the next trim level, which is the 2.5GT. When coupled with Subaru’s new 6 speed transmission, the EPA ranks the 2010 Legacy at 18 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway. Even so, that’s still very good for getting plenty of power and AWD at the same time.

The 2010 Subaru Legacy is set to start at $19,995, which is a very competitive price point for the mid-size market. Let me know if you find a better option that has room for five, AWD, and starting price tag of under $20,000.

Subaru of America, Inc. Announces EPA figures for 2010 Legacy

PRNewswire
CHERRY HILL, N.J.

- Subaru Legacy Sedan achieves 31mpg Hwy -

- Best MPG figures for mid-size AWD in U.S. Market -

- Better economy than many front-wheel drive competitors -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 18 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America today announced the EPA fuel economy results for 2010MY Legacy. The 2010 All-Wheel Drive Legacy achieves up to 26 mpg combined and 31 mpg highway, despite having grown in size in almost every dimension.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080325/SUBARULOGO )

Specifically, the Legacy 2.5i CVT now exhibits better fuel economy (EPA combined) than such Front-Wheel competitors such as Honda Accord, Mazda6i, VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata. Furthermore, the new Legacy is now the highest rated midsize AWD sedan (EPA combined) in the U.S. market for 2010MY.

Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO of Subaru of America said, “We are thrilled that the all-new 2010 Legacy not only offers more space and a more rewarding drive than the competition, but it also delivers better fuel economy at a very competitive price.”

The Subaru Legacy comes with Subaru’s legendary Boxer engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, quick-ratio steering and a new double-wishbone suspension system. The 2010 Legacy has an entry-level price of $19,995 (excl. delivery) and will provide an alternative for customers looking for more from the mid-sized sedan segment.

2010MY EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
Legacy 2.5i 6MT 19 mpg city / 22 mpg combined / 27 mpg hwy
Legacy 2.5i CVT 23 mpg city / 26 mpg combined / 31 mpg hwy
Legacy 2.5GT 6MT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy
Legacy 3.6R 5AT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru boasts the most fuel-efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

The 2009 Subaru Forester continues to do well, as sales increased 101-percent over the previous year’s Forester sales – a total of 5,978 units sold in February 2009, versus 2,971 units sold in February 2008.

“Subaru maintains a strong position in the current automotive climate,” said Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales for Subaru of America. “Our products represent great value for consumers as they continue to shop for smart, capable vehicles to fit their needs.”

Feb-09 Feb-08 %chg Feb.-09 YTD Feb.-08 YTD %chg

Legacy 1,341 1,469 -9% 2,506 2,920 -14%

Outback* 2,389 3,786 -37% 4,904 7,221 -32%

Impreza 2,940 3,642 -19% 5,877 6,733 -13%

Forester 5,978 2,971 101% 11,140 5,373 107%

Tribeca 441 1,038 -58% 856 1,948 -56%

Total** 13,089 12,906 1% 25,283 24,195 4%

* Includes Legacy Wagon

** 2008 total does not include 1 Baja sale in 2008

“Despite increased economic uncertainty, the appeal of our products continues to gain momentum,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president for Subaru of America. “Subaru vehicles are not only capable and fun to drive, but they also provide a low total cost of ownership – and in times such as these, customers are looking to purchase durable vehicles with high retained values like ours.”

[ Source: Subaru ]

Subaru has the perfect answer for belt-tightening motorists wishing to downsize but not down-spec.

Diminutive delight, the Justy 1.0R is now available as a much sportier little number: the Justy 1.0 Twin Cam Special Edition.

Restricted to just 100 vehicles (50 in Black Mica, 50 in Shining Red), the extra equipment comprises rear roof spoiler; twin exhaust system; over roof ‘viper stripes’ and side decals; leather and alloy gear knob and rear privacy glass – creating the perfect blend of inexpensive, economical motoring in a desirable, sporty package.

Priced from £9,995, the Special Edition Twin Cam offers fantastic value for money at only £690 more than the standard model, even with a combined total of over £1,100 worth of extra kit.

This superb supermini, which returns 64.2 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle and qualifies for the £35 annual Road Fund Licence, looks set to prove that even in these financially testing times, it is possible to get a great value for money, sporty vehicle with rock-solid reliability, frugal fuel economy, low CO2 emissions and low road fund licence all in one desirable package.

The standard Justy 1.0 R is already extremely well equipped with air conditioning; ABS with EBD; driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags; radio/CD player with AUX input; four electric windows and remote central-locking, and is priced at a remarkable £9,305. A further enhancement available on both the Justy 1.0 R and Justy 1.0 Twin Cam is a stylish alloy wheel package comprising 15″ Monza R wheels with Toyo 185/55R15 tyres: just £600 (inc. VAT) for a set of four (plus fitting).

The new Justy 1.0 Twin Cam now offers even more, and offers a racy alternative for the younger, and the young-at-heart, motorist.

[ Source: Subaru ]

The year-over-year sales increase adds to the good news the company enjoyed in 2008: the Subaru Forester was named 2009 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year and the company was awarded the title Automotive Marketer of the Year by Mediapost.com and the brand has performed well in Kelley Blue Book and ALG ratings.

               December                   December YTD
            2008     2007    %chg       2008       2007    %chg
 Legacy     1824     2066   -11.7%     22596      21094     7.1%
 Outback*   4067     5831   -30.3%     44280      57334   -22.8%
 Impreza    4192     5376   -22.0%     49098      46333     6.0%
 Forester   6499     3992    62.8%     60748      44530    36.4%
 Tribeca     705     1471   -52.1%     10975      16790   -34.6%
 Baja          0        3  -100.0%         2       1127   -99.8%
 Total    17,287   18,739    -7.7%   187,699    187,208     0.3%

 * Includes Legacy Wagon

Subaru has also announced it will show a Concept Legacy Sedan at the upcoming North American International Auto Show (Jan. 11, 2009) to showcase a potential direction for the model that celebrates 20 years of U.S. sales and production in 2009.

Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales for Subaru of America said, “To post increased sales for the year the Industry has just experienced reflects the strength of our products, our dealers and the Subaru brand. In a difficult market we were able to establish new sales records for Forester, Impreza and Legacy sedan and also record our highest market share ever.”

Tom Doll, executive vice president for Subaru of America said, “Our 2008 sales results are tribute not only to our product offerings, but also to the commitment, perseverance and dedication of our retail sales network. Our strategy was to concentrate on building our brand image and also to leverage the value, performance and utility of our products rather than focus on “selling the deal”, and that strategy has allowed us to significantly outperform the market.”

[ Source: PRNewswire ]

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries. The network currently consists of 89 dealerships spread across Canada.  The two strong sellers in this market were the Impreza with a 60% increase, and the Forester, which had an incredible 128% increase. The press release can be found below.

Record sales add up to best year and best December in history. 

(MISSISSAUGA) – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is delighted to announce that it set a new annual sales record in 2008, retailing 19,892 vehicles. That’s a 20.5 percent increase over the 16,504 vehicles sold the previous year and a 15.4 percent increase over the last annual record of 17,236 units set in 2002. It was also a record December for SCI, with Canadian customers buying 1,529 Subaru vehicles during the month, 16.0 percent more than last December’s record sales of 1,318. 

Continuing to perform strongly in December were the Impreza, with sales up 59.8 percent over last December, and Forester, with sales 128.8 percent better for the month. Both models also set new annual sales records. Total annual Forester sales of 6,322 units beat the previous record, set in 2000, by 37.1 percent. Total Impreza sales for the year reached 8,555 units-14.4 percent better than the record set just last year. 

“This concludes an outstanding year for Subaru, in which record sales can be directly attributed to the launch of exceptional models such as the 2009 Impreza and award-winning all-new Forester,” said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of SCI. “Although it seems inevitable that there are some difficult economic times ahead, we believe that Subaru is well positioned to weather a financial downturn. When families and drivers are looking for great value and industry-leading safety combined with environmental responsibility, a Subaru is going to be a very attractive choice.” 

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 89 authorized dealers across Canada.

[ Source: Subaru.ca ]