Ask The Best And Brightest: Why Did Subaru Rule 2009?
Subaru wasn’t the only automaker who bucked the misery in 2009, but it was one of the most consistent sales performers month after month. As a longtime Subaru aficionado, my initial diagnosis was that Subaru moved upmarket just as its brand equity was peaking. The brand’s new, flashier interiors, along with upsized redesigns of the Forester and Outback may not have been my cup of 30-weight, but they put the brand on more shopping lists among the automotive mainstream. That’s at least part of the message of Automotive News [sub]’s dissection of Subaru’s strong year, as Subie insiders reveal that more tech toys, better rear legroom and more “sophistication” were important in making Subaru products live up to the inherent “premium-ness” of their AWD platforms.
How do you explain Subaru’s success?
More by Edward Niedermeyer
Comments
Join the conversation
I'll be happy to challenge anyone who thinks a RWD car with a limited slip diff and some snows can match my A6 Quattro on snow and ice. With torsen Quattro there's no need to waste money on snow tires, or put up with the annoying thrumming they make at highway speeds and the shitty dry handling. My Pole Positions are on year round, and I've never felt the need to bother with snows even in the absolute worst conditions. Steep driveway? No problemo.
I bought my 05 STi new because it was a good bang/$ at the time (for a new car). I bought snow tires as I would for ANY car. I haven't gotten stuck yet. I even keep the summer/OEM tires on the original rims & bought rims for the snow tires as well (steel/heavy rims). Do I need the AWD? Probably not....but it is a fun car irregardless and that is why I bought it.
Sorry but my wife had an Audi with Quattro equipped with M+S tires on it. That's how the local Audi dealer orders all their cars. It wasn't as good as my RWD '81 Olds Cutlass Supreme in snow and ice. And my Cutlass didn't have limited slip or snow tires on it.
I am one of those customers, I bought a new WRX this year. Easier to justify AWD when it helps put the power down even in the dry. Subaru engineers their cars to be useful for their customers, not to win comparison tests (see Mazdaspeed3 for that) and the sales seem to be proving that out. I do think turbocharging and the WRX has done a lot for Subarus image, they have more utility and sport going on that any SUV out there. Subaru walks a fine line with price and value...there are endless discussions about whether the WRX/STI cost too much on the forums. I actually think that they have made two mistakes though that will come back to haunt them: 1.)using a fully hard molded plastic dash in the Impreza. It looks ok but seems chintzy and rattles like crazy. 2.)going for the tall/SUV look with the new Legacy. The last gen looking so good must have been a fluke. They should have stayed with a sleeker car. They already have the tall boy Forrester and the Tribeca SUV. Maybe abandoning turbo power for the most part in the new Legacy will come back to bite them as well. And damn that lousy paint and horrible stereo system Sounds like I am complaining, but I am not, the good parts of the Subaru WRX are very good.