Even as one of the smaller Japanese automakers doing business in the United States, it was pretty easy to break big records for Subaru.
2010 was a year for rebuilding sales for much of the U.S. auto market, and Subaru managed to set a record year by selling 263,820 vehicles, a 21.8-percent increase over 2009. The volume alone is a record for the five-model automaker, with the Outback leading the charge at 93,148 sold for the year. On its coattails is the Forester at 85,080 units; the Impreza and Legacy trail at 44,395 and 38,725 vehicles, respectively. Bringing up the rear is the ambiguously styled Tribeca with just 2472 SUVs.
December proved to be especially profitable, with the final 31 days of 2010 marking the 10th consecutive month of 20,000-plus monthly sales and a volume record. Subaru sold 26,694 total SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks in the month, a 15.7-percent gain over December 2009.
Subaru sales have grown 50 percent over the past two years, despite the market’s deflation.
Now, the challenge is in sustaining and boosting sales, and we doubt Subaru is content to let its product languish on their lots.