Auto-Tech HQ

Who says you have to be big or global or green to survive? A handful of car models, such as the Jeep Wrangler and the Smart, are maintaining their sales Despite the general auto collapse, a handful of car models and manufacturers are doing well.   Who said you have to be green to survive?  Look at Jeep, Smart, Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia.  They seem to be holding their own quite well. 

The Koreans have the advantage due to the dollar sharp decline, which leaves some room for greater incentives.  

But what about Subaru, how do they do it?

They have no hybrids or electric cars, the fuel efficiency is nothing spectacular, and to top it off, Subarus are definitely not the prettiest cars.

The company sells around 600,000 vehicles a year worldwide, making it roughly the 20th largest automaker.

Its major markets are Japan and then the U.S., with 187,699 sales here last year, outselling only Mitsubishi, and Suzuki.  Subaru’s idea is that you don’t have to be huge to hold your own in the world of giants.

Subarus that are sold in the U.S. are all-wheel-drive, somewhat even dull looking, family-type wagons and sedans, for the exceptions of the WRX and STI models. They are not the hottest cars ether, but these models are not for the faint of hearts.  People usually fall in to the category of you ether love them or hate them. 

So why the success?  Subaru has good quality vehicles, and they are always recommended by Consumer Reports.  They were one of the first to market with all-wheel-drive vehicles.  You can not forget one of the most important factors of Subaru cars, and it’s their 4 or 6 cylinder horizontally opposed “boxer” engines.

But the main reason to Subaru success is not only the pricing scheme (between $20,000 to $35,000 for the most cars, and up to $40,000 for a selective few models).  I personally think that Subaru crowd is very loyal to their brand, and hardly ever hear a bad word about them.  I just really hope Subaru will be true to their roots and their loyal customers, and stay that way with out trying to sway in to the wrong direction.