SUBARU OVER THE YEARS:  
News Articles, Magazine Reviews, Links, Comments and more
Subaru Tribeca, Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza, WRX STI,  Baja, Hybrid, Concept Cars...

5/21 Subaru faces more competition as Ford looks to all-wheel-drive to boost sales as the demand for their SUVs sags. Ford wwants to sell , 500,000 all-wheel-drives a year, on the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans, and later on other crossovers.  Ford already offers AWD on the Freestyle crossover and the Five Hundred sedan. Chrysler  has it on the 300s, and GM is also adding more AWD vehicles. more from the Detroit FP

5/21 'No trouble! Japanese cars have been declared the most reliable cars of the past decade. In a new survey, the top 10 most trouble-free models were all Japanese, with the Honda Accord in first place, closely followed by the Subaru Forester',  from the Sunday Times UK
5/12  Subaru's 2.5L Horizontally Opposed boxer engine with a turbo charger was voted this year’s winner in the 2-2.5L  class of the International Engine of the Year Awards at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. A panel of 61 renowned journalists from 29 countries served as judges in the competition organized by UKIP Media & Events, Automotive Magazines’ Division, Britain’s largest group of auto-technology magazines. more form
4/12 Superior Industries International, announced it will supply 17-inch aluminum wheels for the 07 Subaru. Not sure for what models. More
4/11 Subaru wants to sell 2500 cars in Iran! more
4/10 Names: Subaru sure has a lot of names and acromyns: SI, SportShift, VDC, VTD, symetrical awd, continuous awd and then there are the ever-changing names of the various models ie the 1996 Legacy Outback becomes Outback becomes 2205's Outback 2.5i; the 98 Forester S becomes XS with or without sunroof becomes 2005s X Premium. It sure would be less confusing for people if Subaru didn't change model names so often...
4/3 Ubiquitous Subaru is an icon of the Northwest according to the Bellingham, Washington Herald
4/2  Subaru Technica International chief Takeshi Ito says the group wants to build the ultimate Subarus: "We want our relationship with Subaru to be like BMW's M or Mercedes' AMG." he says. more on edmunds.com
3/28 Subaru's IMBA Trail care gets new chief, from imba.com
3/21 Malcolm Bricklin, SoA co-founder, has financing and still plans to bring the China built Chery to the US in 2007, from Washingtonpost.com
3/20 Forget high heels, Singapore women are buying and driving hot cars  more
3/6 Hoping to improve and increase sales, Subaru hires Compete to offer advice, from Bostonbusinessjournal
3/3 Leading consumer testing magazine says the best small SUV is the Forester and the most fun is the Impreza WRX STI.
2/24 Over 100 of the world’s top athletes will face Telluride’s compete for a $7,500 prize purse and their shot at the overall Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Series Title. from outdoornewswire.com
2/22 Malcolm Bricklin hopes to import the Chery from China starting late 2007.
2/16 Subaru sponsors triathlon producer Set-Up. "Joining forces with Set-up in the Southeast is an excellent opportunity to build Subaru awareness and support Triathlons.." more from Carolinanewswire.com
2/15 Subaru Canada to Offer Sirius satellite radio, from broadcastermagazine.com
2/13 Subaru to export to Iran, from mehrnews.ir
2/12 Few defects at Subaru's Indiana factory which builds 56% of all Subarus sold in North America. Read more from the Journal Courier
2/9 All 2007 models to get standard or optional satellite radio: Sirius radio on Forester and Impreza (std on Outback Sport SE), XM radio on Tribeca (std on new SE model), Outback and Legacy
2/3 100 of the world's best big mountain freeskiers are in the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird Ski resort, the first of four stops on the world tour, from usatoday.com
2/2 Despite 8" new snow, the 4th Subaru U.S. Skiercross Nationals went off without a hitch, firsttracksonline.com
1/28 Fact check: Are American cars really that bad? from cnn.com
1/28 Subaru Race and Ace has 3 NW events for 2006. North America’s premier golf and ski competition will host events in both Oregon, Washington and Idaho, from skimag.com
1/25- Subaru to export to Mexico: Legacy, Outback, Tribeca from Indiana, with Japan built  Forester and Impreza to come later.  More from indystar.com
1/23/06 Subaru and Audi owners in top 3 to use iTunes, VW owners are #1, from pcmagazine
1/10/06 Invoice increases $275 replacing $275 adv fee. MSRP not effected. Starts mid-February.
1/5/06 Subaru sponsors both U.S. Freeskiing and U.S. Skiercross series
1/2/06 Car clubs may be expensive but you can drive some great cars  for example at San Francisco's Club Sportiva

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Subaru Tribeca news and reviews

10/42005  A consumer magazine rates the Tribeca and other SUVs. 2006 10/19 Tribeca: 'Let's say you're 20, and you just won $1 million. What kind of car would you buy?  A Subaru B9 Tribeca, of course. (You weren't really thinking Ferrari, were you?)The Tribeca is Subaru's largest crossover sort-of SUV.' more  10/16 Tribeca, UK.  'The effect is immediately apparent on the road. Although the Tribeca is very tall, it doesn't feel like it on corners...'  more 10/4 Tribeca review. Subaru's move into the SUV market with the introduction of the 2006 B9 Tribeca seemed like a natural progression for a brand that has long prided itself on its all-wheel-drive capabilities. more 9/15 Tribeca review. 'Nobody has ever called any Subaru conventional. From the horizontally opposed "pancake" engine to its sometimes funky styling, all Subarus have marched to the beat of a different drummer. Don't get me wrong. That little pancake engine has travelled millions of miles...'  Saskatoon StarPhoenix 8/25 New front grill for Tribeca and Impreza: Subaru's controversial aircraft-inspired grill used on the Impreza and Tribeca will disappear ... chief designer Andreas Zapatinas has resigned...  Zapatinas was not responsible for the propeller theme: the Impreza and Tribeca designs were well advanced when the former Alfa and Fiat designer joined the Japanese carmaker.... more  8/23 Tribeca recall: some (not many) 2006 models may have weak rear gate supports. more 7/23 Crash tests: 'the instant destruction of a $31,000 Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV with only 110 miles is purely intentional, highly educational and, in its own way, thoroughly antiseptic...' SFChronicle 7/22 Tribeca now available in UK here are prices...  more,  and more, and more 7/22 Tribeca auction:  The Ontario, Canada March of Dimes auction includes a 1year 2006 Tribeca lease. Subaru Canada Inc (SCI) donated a 1 year lease to the auction, says Brian Hyland of SCI. Visit http://www.dreamscometrueauction.com/ 6/28 Tribeca has been judged as having the best interior among premium-priced crossover utility vehicles by US auto industry representatives at the seventh Interior of the Year awards run by Wards Auto World magazine. nzherald 6/14 Tribeca. The new chrome, polished stainless steel, mesh grille which is standard on the 2007 Tribeca SE model also fits 2006 models. Part number J101SXA150 5/16 Cobb Tuning supercharges a Tribeca, gets 320 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque, plus adds bigger brakes, upgraded suspension and more! Cobb (of SLC, Utah) performance upgrades are available for a number of Subaru models. In the Seattle area, Mike Corbin's Smart Service is a local independent Subaru service dealer who not only provides everyday mechanical expertise but is also the total performance specialist! 4/23 Tribeca review 'The front, with its upside-down Alfa Romeo-like grille, planted in a bulbous nose somewhat resembling the submerged prow of a supertanker,  from SFgate.com Tribeca review '2006 Subaru Tribeca breaks the mold of commonplace mid-size SUVs'  from nwinews.com 4/2 Reviews from womanmotorist.com. Tribeca, Forester, Impreza, Outback 3/27 'So what would motivate Subaru, purveyor of all-wheel drive SUV alternatives, to produce its own sport-ute?' from the lowellsun 3/13 Allocation of some 06 models is done for the year and factory orders won't be accepted on 2006 Legacy GT Ltd wagons, GT Ltd sedans with navigation, Outback 2.5i sedan, Outback XT cloth, Outback XT with Navigation, Tribeca 7 passenger. The availability of Impreza WRX and Outback Sports is limited. This information is subject to change. 2/23 Tribeca review 'It´s the nose .. that sets it apart. The grille arrangement strongly suggests Alfa-Romeo and it looked best on a blood-red Spyder with Dustin Hoffman at the wheel...' from newhavenadvocate.com 2/9 New for 2007 Tribeca: stereo plug-in jack, black front grill, slightly re-tuned suspension and sway bar, Rollover Sensor, Brake Assist, Memory seat on the Limiteds. Optional back-up sensor, XM radio, rear view camera with Navigation, remote start, retractable cargo cover. SE model gets XM radio, mesh grill, chrome alloys. More to come 2/9 "The Tribeca is like purple ice cream to me; I just cannot get past the looks. This does not mean that it is a bad vehicle. On the contrary I love the way it drove...." from the Pacifica Tribune 2/16 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca: Updated Only After One Year on the Market. from auto.moldova.org 2/1 'Tribeca is Subaru's first to offer a third row, and it hits the mark more than it misses'  from cnet.com 1/24 Tribeca Crash Test, gets 4 stars on Roll-Over from safercar.gov 1/21/2006 'There's no gentle way to say this, Tribeca has a pig nose, a cute, little pug in the middle of its face. For some it's too weird, others see a classic European shield' read more at the AZ Republic (top)

Subaru Legacy and Outback news and reviews

2006 10/18 GT spec.B:  'New model year fireworks at Subaru this year are coming from the high-performance end of the family, with new and improved versions of the Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B with a new SI Drive High performance system and the Impreza WRX STI Limited' more 9/20 2007 Legacy GT 'Mid-cycle freshening aims to upgrade dynamics and save at the pump'.  more 9/4 SI Drive review on Legacy GT, Outback XT: ' When Subaru claimed their SI-Drive gave the Liberty owner 'three engines in one', an eyebrow was raised in skepticism rather than surprise.  But all that was needed to prove Subaru’s point with SI-Drive was a steep hill.' more  8/13 Legacy GT review 'Subaru flirts with luxury in new Legacy GT sedan. This is a stealthy sport sedan that is attractive, yet blends into the crowd, especially when cloaked in the dark metallic blue of the test car.'  more  8/11 New rebate on 2007 Legacy, Outback: $750  8/10  Legacy STI but it's for Japan only.. more from mobilemag, edmunds 8/3 Legacy spec.B arrives! 7/30 GT review 'We drove up from Virginia in the Legacy GT Limited, Subaru's midsize luxury sport sedan, replete with an onboard navigation system...'  . more note the car pictured in the article isn't a GT 7/21 2007 Legacy GT review: '2007 Subaru Legacy aims to upgrade dynamics and save at the pump ....  throatier exhaust gives the flat-four and flat-six a more menacing presence. There is also the Legacy’s optional Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) a cockpit adjustable controller for the electronic throttle and the engine control unit...'  more from caranddriver.com 7/15 Outback wagon is Best Pick, 'The Station wagon is dead, long live the just plain wagon.... SUV sales are falling and the wagons are circling. Find out which wagon is the best for you... ' businessweek.com 7/14 Outback and Legacy prices, models, specs updated. 7/14 Legacy GT long term test review ' For 2005, Subaru introduced to the U.S. a much-better-looking and, in 2.5GT trim, vastly more powerful Legacy' from caranddriver.com 7/11 New stereo system for 2007 Legacy GT:  SRS Labs announced its SRS WOW® technology will be included as a standard feature in the new 2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT as part of the “Legacy Premium Sound System. SRS WOW technology will provide Subaru Legacy passengers an immersive 3D stereo experience.  The natural and spacious 3D sound field allows for superb sound from any listening position – eliminating the sweet spot.  SRS WOW also shapes a maximized bass response using sculpted filters and driver physics to go beyond the low-frequency limitations of speakers, resulting in big bass without the need for a subwoofer. In addition, SRS WOW electronically elevates the sound image to an optimal ear level without physically moving the speakers from the base of the door panels and creates a phantom center speaker”  more 6/17 Legacy GT spec.B tops Mazdaspeed 6 in Motortrend.com's road test and comparison. 6/2 Outback review:  'This week's test vehicle: Subaru's Outback Rocket. OK, so it's not really called the "Rocket." But it should be because this Subaru really blasts off like one. Touch the accelerator pedal at a stoplight and you almost expect to hear NASA ground control say, "And we have liftoff!" ' from the Southern California PE.com 5/26  GT cop car...  ouch!  Kitsap County, just west of Seattle, Wa., has a Legacy GT turbo patrol car. "We chose the Subaru Legacy because we were looking for an all-wheel-drive vehicle with solid performance and handling capabilities," said Mike Merrill, of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.  5/5  Subaru's site on the 07 Legacy spec.B 5/2  NEW SI Drive FOR 2007 models.   'SI' is Subaru Intellegent.  On 07 turbo Legacy, Outback, STI. 'In addition to the new SI-Drive, the 2007 spec.B also gets a modified version of the six-speed manual transmission from the Impreza WRX STI, a limited-slip rear differential, vehicle dynamics control and a tire-pressure monitoring system.  The SI-Drive system will be standard on all Legacy 2.5 GT Limited and Outback 2.5 XT Limited models for 2007. The system allows the driver to maximize engine performance, control and efficiency by choosing among three selectable modes — intelligent, sport and sport sharp — using a rotary dial on the center console. The SI-Drive controls the electronic throttle system's response and fuel and ignition curves to modify engine torque characteristics. With intelligent mode, the system reduces engine torque and maximum power. This mode can boost fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent, the company says. In sport mode, the performance is characterized by quick throttle responses and linear acceleration. In sport sharp mode, power is delivered sooner, with a quick throttle response. The system includes an instrument panel display that allows the driver to monitor performance. more from Edmunds.com 4/28 GT review. 'Legacy 2.5 GT breaks the image of a staid Subaru... Legacy spec.B is a car enthusiasts have been impatiently waiting for.... makes the daily grind of driving to work and back an adventure' from washingtontimes.com 4/19 Legacy GT review from cars.ign.com 4/13 2007 GT spec.B. Subaru announces changes to the spec.B. It will become a standard model for 07 and include a 6spd transmission, new SI (Subaru Intellegent) engine management with 3 modes that can be selected via a knob on the console. Settings will increase fuel economy up to 10% or increase performance, with a tachometer display. Other changes will be tire pressure monitoring, 60/40 fold down rear seat, VDC all wheel drive, upgraded Torsen limited slip, gray leather with blue insets, iPod jack, optional XM satellite radio...  More 4/2 Reviews from womanmotorist.com. Tribeca, Forester, Impreza, Outback 4/1 '2006 Subaru Outback LL Bean Sedan goes to finishing school..' from marketwatch.com 3/13 Allocation of some 06 models is done for the year and factory orders won't be accepted on 2006 Legacy GT Ltd wagons, GT Ltd sedans with navigation, Outback 2.5i sedan, Outback XT cloth, Outback XT with Navigation, Tribeca 7 passenger. The availability of Impreza WRX and Outback Sports is limited. This information is subject to change. 2/12 Few defects at Subaru's Indiana factory which builds 56% of all Subarus sold in North America. Read more from the Journal Courier 2/9 All 2007 models to get standard or optional satellite radio: Sirius radio on Forester and Impreza (std on Outback Sport SE), XM radio on Tribeca (std on new SE model), Outback and Legacy  2/22  Legacy GT spec. B road test  'I really took a shine to the spec.B...'  from DetroitNews 2/19 Legacy GT spec.B tested and compared to 6 other all-wheel-drive perfomance sedans by RoadandTrack.commagazine. A nice group of cars and a thorough test and the GT spec.B more than holds its own and ranks #2 right behind the Audi A4. Read more 2/16 Subaru Canada offers new Legacy and Outback SE models at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto 2/11 Special 0% interest available on Outback 2.5i, 24 months, in lieu of rebate, oac, 2/11-28

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Subaru Forester news and reviews

2006 9/8 Forester review from Canada: 'When Subaru delivered its first Forester in the fall of 1997, I doubt they had a true appreciation of the influence it would have in helping to establish the now tremendously popular crossover segment of vehicles. While the Toyota RAV4 came two years prior and Honda CR-V a year ahead, Subaru's entry was more car-like than either.'  more 7/6 2007 Foresters arrive! 6/27  Subaru Forester has ranked highest in independent Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) announced in Australia.  The 2006 UCSR studied more than 1.7 million crashes of 305 different vehicle models over a 17-year period.  For the first time in the study’s history, a ‘standout’ car was identified, with Subaru’s Forester (1997-2002) rating as top performer. The UCSR is the world’s largest study of vehicle crashes and is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre and supported by the RACV, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and VicRoads, as well as other state and federal road authorities and motoring clubs from Australia and New Zealand. from car.co.nz 6/7 Forester review.  A big consumer product testing magazine picks the redesigned Toyota Rav as best small SUV. The Forester was Top Pick in their annual April car issue a few months ago. read more from the autochannel 4/21 Forester is top pick small SUV from Car and Driver magazine, 'you won’t find a better small SUV than the Subaru Forester'  more 4/2 Reviews from womanmotorist.com. Tribeca, Forester, Impreza, Outback 3/28 Forester. Subaru apparently produced some X Premium models without a sunroof for Hawaii rental fleet sales. These are now showing up for sale used. 3/22 Forester XT, 2006 first glance from about.com 3/3 Leading consumer testing magazine says the best small SUV is the Forester and the most fun is the Impreza WRX STI.  2/24  Forester XT review 'Subaru has some very useful revisions for the Forester lineup' from autochannel.com 2/21 Subaru Forester one million units on February 17, takes 9 years and 3 months after the company began producing the Forester in its Gunma Yajima Plant in December 1996. from  2/15 Forester review, UK.  'what better vehicle to use than the Forester, which often travels to the local dump in convoy with our 1956 Chevrolet pick-up?' from autoexpress.co.uk 2/11 Special Forester X $500 lease cash available, oac, 2/11-28 2/9 All 2007 models to get standard or optional satellite radio: Sirius radio on Forester and Impreza (std on Outback Sport SE), XM radio on Tribeca (std on new SE model), Outback and Legacy  (top)

Subaru Impreza news and reviews

2006 10/20 2007 WRX TR review: 'I've been driving a 2007 WRX TR for the past week, and can't say that I've missed the regular WRX's automatic climate control system, foglamps, or upgraded audio system with a 6-CD changer. The TR's manual heater and air conditioner workedjust fine in the fickle fall weather, the single-CD player audio systemis not a major hardship, and the simpler seats were still comfortable enough...' more 10/17 Impreza based kit car from adrenalinemotorsport.co.uk. Based on the 92 - 2000 model, the Murtaya is a two seater kit car or turn key vehicle. 3 versions are available, modular build, roadgoing with full screen, and a lightweight track version. The company is quoting 0-60 time sub 4 seconds, top speed over 150mph. more 10/7 WRX review "...Subaru's WRX is among the few remaining guy's-cars, as genuinely masculine as chest hair. With its huge hood scoop, bright blue paint job, 17-inch alloy wheels and flashy red brake calipers, the WRX TR sedan that I recently tested screamed boy racer ... indeed, you can't even buy a WRX TR with an automatic transmission (though I can think of more than a few guys I know who are clueless about clutches and stick shifts)... "  more 9/16 WRX STI review 'Two words: Power corrupts. This applies to horsepower as well as politics and finance...This kind of power is intoxicating. Subaru's WRX STi is little more than a race car for the street, and it's among the most coveted affordable performance cars out there.'  more 9/14 WRX. Is this a 2008 WRX?  more 9/1 WRX STI: WRX STI Limiteds are arriving 8/25 New front grill for Tribeca and Impreza: Subaru's controversial aircraft-inspired grill used on the Impreza and Tribeca will disappear ... chief designer Andreas Zapatinas has resigned...  Zapatinas was not responsible for the propeller theme: the Impreza and Tribeca designs were well advanced when the former Alfa and Fiat designer joined the Japanese carmaker.... more  8/21 STI Limited prices and features announced... same price as standard STI!  8/12 STI rules the X Games rally August 2-5, drivers Travis Pastrana and Christian Edstrom took the gold, former Subaru driver Colin McCrae took second and Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino took bronze. All were in open class STI rally cars more, more 7/2 Impreza WRX TR is an unpretentious sport sedan .. a new entry level WRX ... from cantonrep.com 6/18 STI review 'Wicked hairpins adorned with ten different patches of mismatched pavement are just finger food to the STi, gobbled up without concern or even a passing thought'  from car-reviews.automobile.com 5/29 STI review: 'Two words: power corrupts. This applies to horsepower as well as politics and finance...' from the Lowell Sun 5/5 Subaru's siteon the 07 Impreza STI Limited 5/3 World champ's Subaru up for grabs on eBay. 'Former Northern Ireland champion Denis Biggerstaff currently owns the hi-tech Subaru - in fact, he drove it to 14th place on the international Rally of the Lakes at the weekend - but has decided to sell it on the world's biggest internet auction site'. from belfasttelegraph.co.uk 4/15  Adrenaline Motorsport, of England has developed  the AMS1, a super-quick car with Subaru running gear based on the 1992-2000 Impreza more 4/14 2007 WRX STI Limited, 800 to be produced, 400 Satin White, 400 new Urban Gray, each individually numbered. This has a cleaner look with a smaller rear trunk spoiler and no roof vane spoiler. Other upgrades are leather heated seats, sunroof, iPod plug, fog lights, upgraded carpeting and sound installation, darker metallic trim, auto dimming mirrior/compass,  4/6 WRX review: 'Subaru tones down Impreza WRX TR without stripping quality'  from paramuspost.com 4/6 Namco Bandai games announced that WRC: FIA World Rally for the PSP has gone gold. Billed as "the only official game of the FIA World Rally Championship" for the PSP, the game will sport 30 official 2005 Evo, WRX and extreme spec cars as well as 36 drivers, from videogames1.mtv.com 4/5 Univ. North Texas graduate marketing class to host event showcasing Imprezas. The class will be competing against other universities to raise the awareness of Subaru on campus. read more  4/2 Reviews from womanmotorist.com. Tribeca, Forester, Impreza, Outback 3/28 French cops get WRXs, their Pugeots were too slow! That has to depress some speeders.... cnn.com 3/10 Subaru says the SPT Performance Muffler #SOA8377510 does not fit the 06 Impreza 2.5i as incorrectly shown in the 06 Impreza Accessories Brochures 3/3 Leading consumer testing magazine says the best small SUV is the Forester and the most fun is the Impreza WRX STI.  2/24 Police in Mass. recover stolen STI. 2/20 Impreza 2.5i road test  'Cool wagon. Thats the attitude I got from..'  from automobile.com 2/20 Impreza Outback Sport  review, from macleans.auto123.com 2/15  WRX review. ' When you're behind the wheel of a Subaru station wagon, it's hard to figure out how the SUV craze ever got started in the first place..'  from businessweek.com 2/13 Impreza optional CD changer on TR and 2.5i is out of stock. 2/9 All 2007 models to get standard or optional satellite radio: Sirius radio on Forester and Impreza (std on Outback Sport SE), XM radio on Tribeca (std on new SE model), Outback and Legacy  2/2 The hottest WRX STI ever .. just 600 of the STI S204 all for Japan, from autoweek.com 1/24/06 More on Prodrive's Subaru based P2 performance car, from Autoweek.com 1/21/2006 Subaru introduces new 2006 WRX rally car, more from  autoracingdaily.com 1/18/2006 STI  S204, not available in the US, 320hp. Only 600 built, read more at Edmunds.com 1/12/2006- Prodrive, designer of the Impreza rally car, has a concept sports car with STI components. More on this super car from Edmunds.com 1/10/2006- Impreza STI, UK STI specD 1/5/2006 WRX review from auto123, Canada

Baja news and reviews

5/1/2006 Subaru halted production of the Baja sport-utility truck in mid-April 2006 11/2005 2005 Baja Turbo with leather and cargo cover available. The 2 piece hard tonneau is available as separate parts (it's spendy)

SVX, Loyale, 360, Brat etc and all other models including non-US market  models news and reviews

6/2206 When did you get the 85 Brat and why did you buy it? HartfordAdvocate 6/22/06 The Japanese market Stella mini-car is a hit,  from autoblog. 6/15/06 New mini-car for Japanese market, the Stella. But it's not coming to the US. from bloomberg.com, car.co.nz

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Subaru Hybrids and Concept Cars Fuel Eonomy Issues Safety Crash Tests, Safety Ratings, Recalls Subaru and Toyota Advertising Sales News, Sales Reviews and more

HYBRID, ALTERNATE FUEL and CONCEPT CAR news 10/6/2006 Subaru Diesel, maybe for the 09 or 10 model? "Alongside these introductions, Subaru confirmed that it would be building its own turbodiesel engine, something that its never done before. And while diesel power is a hot topic, Subarus oil burner will be different: its making a huge splash by choosing to defy convention in."  more  9/28/2006 Subaru Diesel, maybe for the 09 or 10 model?  " I’m pleased to announce that the development of the world’s first horizontally opposed diesel engine, the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel is nearly complete... anticipated shown next year at Geneva Motor Show" says Subaru of Europe President Hiroyuki at the Paris motor show speech. more  9/252006 Diesel-   Honda says it is the first car manufacturer to design a diesel engine meeting all US emission standards for 2009, without the need for additives. Expected in 3 years. Where is Subaru? more from reuters,bostonglobe, redherring.. 8/7/2006 Concept car:  'Reports suggest Subaru is considering building a supermini for the European market. The new car could take its lead from Subaru's Japan-only R1 three-door and R2 five-door city cars'  more 7/31/2006 More on Subaru's diesel, hopefully expected in Europe for the 2008 model  more  (No word on the US hybrid or diesel) 3/24/2006 Subaru working on a diesel for Europe. Wiil it show up here? from forbes.com, msnbc.com, NZ Autocar 2/16/2006 Subaru Canada shows R1e electric car at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto 1/26/2006 Hybrid lithium-ion battery expected to be the shape of things to come, from Businessweek.com Lithium-ion batteries like in laptops and cell phones could revolutionize the auto industry, from Businessweek.com 1/62006 Subaru hybrid concepts BTH-5 hybrid at N. Am Auto Show, 1/14-22, Detroit, news release Subaru Hybrid Concept Car at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show: Subaru shows the new B5-TPH turbo parallel hybrid concept hatch back using the 1st hybrid boxer engine.  Related links Automobilemag.com "Subaru B5-TPH is a stylish coupe/wagon/crossover ..Subaru stresses is not the next Impreza Forbes magazine "Subaru is the Roswell, NM of automakers"  Edmunds.com "Starring at the Subaru stand will be the B5 concept.. Cardesignnews "Subaru will unveil the snappily named B5-TPH concept.. 10/10/05 Tokyo Auto Show: Edmunds.com and Cardesignnews on the B5-TPH  Subaru Hybrid 9/28/05 Turbo Hybrid at Tokyo auto show 10/19, from autoweek.com, Edmunds.com, thecarfanatics.com The preliminary agreement by Toyota and Fuji might bring 1,000 jobs to SIA (Subaru of Indiana America) plant 3/11 Toyota is expected to announce on Monday 3/12 that they will build a Camry at Subaru's Lafayette plant. FUEL  ECONOMY,  CAFE' news 1/11/2006  EPA fuel economy changes. Proposed changes would more accurately reflect current driving patterns but would result in lower estimates. Proposed window sticker labels.12/29/2005 EPA fuel economy ratings are frequently high, new testing methods are needed hopefully in time for 2007 models.  Engine size, time spent in traffic, the use of air conditioning, traffic speeds, vehicle weight all have changed in the past decades. Read more from the post-gazette SAFETY CRASH TESTS  safety news, including recalls etc 7/23/06 Crash tests: 'the instant destruction of a $31,000 Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV with only 110 miles is purely intentional, highly educational and, in its own way, thoroughly antiseptic...' SFChronicle 6/27/06  Subaru Forester has ranked highest in independent Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) announced in Australia.  The 2006 UCSR studied more than 1.7 million crashes of 305 different vehicle models over a 17-year period.  For the first time in the study’s history, a ‘standout’ car was identified, with Subaru’s Forester (1997-2002) rating as top performer. The UCSR is the world’s largest study of vehicle crashes and is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre and supported by the RACV, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and VicRoads, as well as other state and federal road authorities and motoring clubs from Australia and New Zealand. from car.co.nz 4/16/06 Subaru Impreza is a 'gold standard among small cars' from IIHS.org 4/1/06 Free DVD from SoA  'about the top safety awards earned by Subaru vehicles. The DVD features crash-test footage, an explanation of the test ratings....' etc. Supplies are limited, call 800-355-6605. from Subaru's Drive Magazine. 1/24 Tribeca Crash Test, gets 4 stars on Roll-Over from safercar.gov 1/9/2006- Forester Crash Test: rated good protection against whiplash injuries in rear-end crashes by iihs.org. Only 6 of 44 tested earned the good rating, including Ford Freestyle, Volvo XC, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover LR3   Subaru and Toyota. October 5, 2005, Toyota buys share of Subaru parent company Fuji. 10/16/2006 Applications for up to 1,000 jobs as Toyota production associates at the SIA Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette will be accepted, beginning Oct. 30.. production of the Camry will begin next spring .. more 8/2/2006 Toyota will be #1....  Toyota beats Ford for the first time finishing behind GM in the US. Toyota had its best month ever with 241,826 vehicles to beat Ford by 1,535 units. Ford is down nearly 10% in 2006 and Toyota is up 10%. Globally Toyota already is No. 2 in vehicle sales and to overtake GM. Chicago Tribune Ford still holds a big lead over Toyota for the year and is likely to outsell Toyota in some months, but George Magliano, research director for industry forecaster Global Insight, says the handwriting is on the wall. "It might be five years, but they'll overtake Ford in the U.S. Toyota is expanding in North America, opening new plants, and Ford is consolidating," Magliano said. October 5, 2005 Big news as GM sells app 40% of their 157million shares in Fuji to Toyota and will sell the balance on the open market. Plans for a  Subaru-Saab crossover SUV have been dropped. Toyota now has app. 8.7% of Fuji. 6/22/06 Toyota has 1,000 good jobs planned for 2007 Camry production in Lafayette, a resurgence for the SIA plant. indystar.com 6/21/06  Officials of Fuji Heavy Industries told Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels today that capacity at its two Subaru plants in Japan is nearly maxxed out. That could bode well for increased production at Subaru's only other plant, Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Daniels said. Subaru officials in the U.S. want to increase sales more than 5 percent in each of the next five years. The Lafayette plant already is ramping up to produce 100,000 Toyota Camrys beginning next year. indystar.com 3/14/2006  It's official... Toyota will build app 30,000 Camrys in Lafayette, create app 1000 jobs. Autoweek, LA Times, NY Times, indystar.com, car-reviews.automobile.com... 11/25/2005  Toyota will build small cars for Fuji to sell in Europe 11/24/2005 Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to manufacture up to 100,000 vehicles at SIA 2007 11/24/2005  Toyota negotiating to use Subaru plant in Indiana 11/23/2005  Toyota plans to unseat ailing General Motors Corp. as the world's biggest 11/9/2005  Fuji will handle the full redesign of an existing Toyota, model to be determined Articles on the new alliance Autoweek, Detroit Free Press, Layfayette Journal Courier on the Subaru-Saab SUV,  Will Toyota use excess plant capacity at Subaru's Layfayette plant for Hybrid production? GM to lose a bundle, Subaru less on the deal, from autonews.com   ADVERTISING news 11/5/05 International Latino Film Festival in San Francisco Subaru is the official automotive sponsor 11/5/05 Keep your palm touching the Subaru contest, in Singapore.  The winner after 64.5 hours! 3/21/05 Subaru starts important new TV and print 'Think Feel Drive' ad campaign focusing on what sets Subaru apart. This is by Subaru's new ad agency DDB, chosen October 2004, and replaces the 'Driven by what's inside' campaign starring winning cyclist and spokesman Lance Armstrong that started April 2003. Temerlin McClain agency, with Subaru 1994-2004, did the very succesful and humorous ads from 1996-2002 with Australian movie star Crocodile Dundee Paul Hogan, and then the Armstrong ads. Subaru wins more safety awards, this time in New Zealand. US gas averages $2.10gal. SALES 2006 10/12 Carr Subaru of Portland continues to lead the nation in sales volume. Eight of the top 25 sales volume Subaru dealers are located in the NW which includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Iowa, Wyoming and Nevada. more 10/5 September sales 16,101 total. Tribeca 1,449, Legacy 2,118, Outback 4,330, Forester 3,806, Baja 631, Impreza 3,794 9/2  August sales: 17,809 total; Tribeca 1,377, Outback 5,434, Legacy 2,010, Forester  4,002,  Baja 482, Impreza 4,504 8/1 July sales total 18,923:  Legacy 2,327, Outback 5,974, Forester 4,492, Baja 496, Impreza 4,014, Tribeca 1,620. 7/3 June sales: Legacy 2,926, Outback 5,956, Forester 3,967, Baja 417. Impreza +12% percent over previous June at 3,335, B9 Tribeca 1,875. 6/1 May 2006 sales total: Impreza 3,152, Forester 4,160,  B9 Tribeca 1,481, Outback 5,065, Legacy 21.32,  Baja 416. 5/4 April US sales: Tribeca 1,803,  Legacy 1,976, Outback 4,283, Impreza 3,066 Forester 4,512, Baja 433. Subaru Canada Inc (SCI) sales 1,568 cars. Impreza 640, Forester 352. 4/4 March Sales totals up 10% over last year: Tribeca 1,966, Legacy 2,219, Outback 5,423, Impreza 3,154, Forester 5,859, Baja 427. 3/1 February sales total 13,635. Tribeca 1,560, Legacy 1,698, Outback 4,125, Impreza 2,576 (13% increase over 2005), Forester 3,379, Baja 297 2/1 January sales total 12,384. Tribeca 1,421, Legacy 1,594, Outback 3,202,  Impreza 2,550 up 17%, Forester 3,331,   Baja 286. 1/12/2006 Fuji expects small increase in Subaru sales as it shifts focus to profitability from volume, rerad more from Forbes.com, from Reuters.com 1/6/2006 Subaru's year in review by the Journal-Courier 1/5/2006: 2005 total sales 196, 002 for the year. Tribeca 14,797, Legacy 28,218, Outback 59,570, Forester 53,541 Impreza 33,637, Baja 6,239. 1/6/2006 Sales 12/2005: 19,919 units, up 3% from 12/04. Tribeca 2,730, Forester 5,206, Legacy 2,494, Outback 5,883,  Impreza 3,165 units, Baja 441

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