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Subaru’s Richard tops the podium at Baie des Chaleurs

Subaru’s Richard tops the podium at Baie des Chaleurs

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Subaru Canada press release

TORONTO, July 5 /CNW/ – It was a dramatic finish for Subaru Rally Team Canada driver Patrick Richard and co-driver Alan Ockwell, who literally crossed the finish line in flames after rolling their Subaru less than five kilometres from the end. Fortunately the team had built up a significant lead right from the first stage, so the time lost to the crash wasn’t enough to drop them out of first position.

Leo Urlichich and Chrissie Beavis finished a comfortable second place, and third place was claimed by Bruno Carre, current points leader in the Canadian Driver’s Championship, and co-driver Yvan Joyal.

“It’s embarrassing to admit but I lost concentration, clipped the inside of a corner and rolled the car-fortunately the Impreza ended up on its wheels,” said Richard. “The car is a mess-it’s a real tribute to Subaru toughness that we were able to finish the race at all.”

Craig Henderson and Lyne Murphy finished fourth, and Ugo Desgreniers and Eric Kirby finished in fifth. Antoine L’Estage took sixth place-driving in a Subaru loaned to him by Leo Urlichich after a driveline problem sidelined L’Estage’s Mitsubishi before the race even began. The points earned places Subaru in the lead of the Canadian Manufacturer’s Championship.

The Subaru Canada Rally Team is sponsored by Sirius Satellite Radio, Yokohama Tires and Gulf Oil.

The next event in the Canadian Association of Rallysport’s Canadian Rally Championship is the Rallye Defi which takes place near Ste. Agathe, north of Montreal, September 10 and 11.

Photo by Andrew Harvey at Flat Over Crest

Subaru Canada welcomes new President

Subaru Canada welcomes new President

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Subaru Canada press release

TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ – Ikuo Mori, Director of the Board President and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries, is pleased to announce that Mr. Shiro Ohta has been named the new Chairman, President, and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI). Mr. Ohta replaces Katsuhiro Yokoyama, who has held the top position at SCI since 2005.

Ohta is a familiar face at SCI. From 1995-1998 he worked at the Canadian head office as Executive Co-ordinator Field Operations and Assistant to the CEO. Since then, he has acquired extensive experience with Subaru operations around the globe.

Mr. Ohta joined Subaru’s parent company in 1986, immediately after graduating from university. His most recent position was general manager of FHI’s North American Sales and Marketing Department. His extensive sales and marketing experience also includes managing FHI sales/marketing divisions in Africa and the Middle East, Oceania/Australia, and Europe. He has also spent time at the dealership level, gaining important insight into the front-line sales experience.

“I would like to sincerely thank Katsuhiro Yokoyama for his outstanding work in leading Subaru Canada to record sales and market share,” said Ohta. “My immediate goal is to improve on those numbers even further. Our next target is a two percent market share, but I believe that it is possible for us to ultimately achieve three and even four percent. Subaru has built a strong brand awareness and we offer compelling and unique products. We must continue to build on those strengths.”

Like many of his predecessors, Ohta believes in healthy competition-even internally-and holds up Australia as an example of what can be accomplished. During the late ’90s, Subaru Australia was selling approximately 8,000 units a year, while Subaru Canada’s annual sales volume was less than 50 percent of that. Subaru Canada has grown significantly since that time with sales reaching a record 23,034 units in 2009. (Subaru of Australia finished 2009 with sales of 36,506 units.)

“The Australian market is a good benchmark for us,” Ohta said. “Canada’s car market is one and a half times that of Australia, but in terms of sales numbers, Australia sells close to 40,000 units. They have a market share of almost four percent-so we know it can be done. We have not reached our full potential in the Canadian market yet.”

While Subaru owners are renowned for their strong brand loyalty, a recent CADA (Canadian Automobile Dealer Association) survey found significant increases in dealer satisfaction across the board in 2009, placing Subaru Canada in fifth place overall amongst 26 manufacturers.

Subaru Canada announces pricing for 2011 Outback

Subaru Canada announces pricing for 2011 Outback

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ , , , , , ⋅ No comments

Subaru Canada press release

TORONTO, June 16 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce pricing for the 2011 range of award-winning Outback models. Buyers will undoubtedly be pleased that pricing for the entry-level Outback – even with enhanced equipment – will carry over from the previous model year.

For the new model year, Subaru introduces a new Convenience Package that’s standard on the Outback 2.5i and includes folding exterior mirrors and voice-activated Blueconnect Bluetooth(R) system for handsfree cell phone connectivity. In addition Subaru has added a new front bumper under-guard to the Outback 2.5i Sport Package.

Prices for the 2011 Outback lineup include the following:

  • Outback 2.5i Convenience (6-speed manual transmission) $28,995
  • Outback 2.5i Convenience (CVT) $30,195
  • Outback PZEV (CVT) $30,895
  • Outback 2.5i Sport Package (6-speed manual transmission) $31,795
  • Outback 3.6R (5-speed automatic with Manual Mode) $35,695

For a complete list of models, options, and pricing, please go to www.subaru.ca.

Ontario Subaru dealer cleans up the neighborhood on Earth Day

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One of the greatest challenges any car dealer faces is showing their community that their staff are real people who care about their neighbors. Davenport Subaru in Orillia was hard at work yesterday, proving their pride in their town. Staff went out on the town to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up. It looks like they had some fun while collecting a bunch of garbage! Well done.

What did your dealer do for Earth Day?

Photo courtesy of Subaru Canada on Twitter.

Subaru Canada surpasses previous record for March sales

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ , , ⋅ No comments

Subaru Canada press release

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 1 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is delighted to announce that buoyant sales of its lineup of Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive vehicles have set a new record for March results, marking the company’s highest month of sales for 2010. Total sales climbed to 2,503 units, up 33.3 percent over last March. This steadily growing sales momentum further validates Subaru Canada’s position as the fastest growing Japanese manufacturer in 2010.

Outstanding sales of the all-new and completely redesigned Outback and Legacy contributed to the best March ever for both models: Outback sales rose by an incredible 642 percent while Legacy sedan sales were up 501.9 percent over the same month last year.

These strong sales results also represent a successful kickoff to the spring sales campaign. The Subaru Fan Appreciation Sales Event is designed to encourage consumers to visit their local Subaru dealer and see for themselves why Subaru is more popular than ever.

“Subaru continues to gain popularity among Canadians because we are able to deliver vehicles that offer real value to the market,” said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of SCI. “We remain committed to continually building consumer confidence in our brand by focusing on the award-winning safety, performance and reliability of our lineup of Japanese-engineered vehicles.”

Cars of NAIAS: Subaru Hybrid Tourer

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Subaru didn’t have anything new to show off at Detroit this year, so they brought along the Hybrid Tourer Concept they showed earlier in 2009. Still though, this is a concept that actually looks workable. While I’m not usually a gull wing door guy, I like the look of these and the interior is awesome!

Gallery after the break.
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Canadian Rally season starts this weekend at Rallye Perce-Neige

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ , , , , , , , ⋅ No comments

The first event of the 2010 Canadian Rally Championship is upon us. Rallye Perce-Neige is a true winter event and is considered one of the most difficult events of the year. Competitors not only have to contend with slick winter road conditions, but frigid temperatures take their toll on equipment as well.

Defending Champs Antoine L’Estage & Nathalie Richard in their Mitsubishi Evo are going to have their hands full keeping 55 other teams at bay. Most worrisome will be the fellow Mitsubishi team of Andrew Comrie-Picard and Jeremy Wimpey and the Subaru of reigning Canadian Rally Champions Patrick Richard and Alan Ockwell. L’Estage & Richard captured 2nd place overall at the Sno*Drift Rally in Michigan last week, so they may have an edge thanks to recent practice time.

While the main draw for spectators is these big guns, there is guaranteed to be excitement throughout the field. The Group 2 VW Golf of Jon Nichols and Carl Schenk is always a treat to watch, as Nichols is almost as fast in a front wheel drive car as the all wheel drive cars are.

The event takes place near the town of Maniwaki, Quebec at the top of the Ottawa Valley. If you have the ability to get up there this weekend, you are guaranteed a great show. Just be sure to dress warmly!
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Subaru Canada announces pricing for 2010 Impreza lineup

Gary Grant ⋅ Car industry news ⋅ , , ⋅ No comments

TORONTO, July 17 /CNW/ – Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) today announced pricing for its 2010 Impreza lineup. An exceptional combination of rally-bred performance, outstanding occupant protection, and value, Impreza has recently won industry accolades for all three qualities. Rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, this generation of Impreza was also
the top performer in the mid-compact category of the ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards, and the WRX was named the Best Sports Performance Car by Canada’s Motoring television program. The 2010 Impreza, with all its power and safety, becomes an even better
deal when it goes on sale in Canada in mid-July.

- The affordable performance of the Impreza 2.5i sedan re-defines the concept of “entry level.” The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the well-equipped Impreza 2.5i is unchanged for 2010 at $20,995 when equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission (5MT). With the 4-speed electronic automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT, MSRP of the 2.5i sedan is $22,095. The Sport Package adds $3,700, and a new Limited Package with leather interior has an MSRP of $26,995.

- MSRP for the Impreza 2.5i 5-door model starts at $21,895, equipped
with the 5MT.

- The new base model turbocharged Impreza WRX gains a 265 horsepower engine, suspension tuning, and carries a lower MSRP than the previous year’s WRX265 model at $32,495 for the sedan and $33,395 for the 5-door. A new Limited Package with leather interior adds $3,000 to the base price.

- The Impreza flagship-the turbocharged WRX STI-is offered solely in
the 5-door bodystyle with a 6-speed manual transmission and an MSRP
of $39,995.

For complete information about model pricing, specifications, Subaru’s
award-winning 2.5-litre turbo engine, Symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, and the outstanding active and passive safety features that are built into every vehicle Subaru offers, please visit www.subaru.ca.