Subaru Has Sights On 200,000 in Sales for 2005

Washington DC May 23, 2005; AIADA reported that riding a wave of new vehicles, Subaru of America forecasts 2005 U.S. sales will increase 9 percent over 2004 and break 200,000 units for the first time,” reported Automotive News.

The automaker is aiming for sales of 204,500 vehicles in the U.S. this year and is pinning its hopes on the new Forester and Legacy. CEO of Subaru of America Kunio Ishigami says in order for Subaru to reach its 2005 sales goal, it will need to sell at least 17,000 units of the new seven-seat B9 Tribeca sport wagon, which goes on sale next month.

The new B9 Tribeca is produced at the company’s plant in Lafayette, Ind. According to the News, “Subaru wants to sell 30,000 to 36,000 units of the B9 Tribeca during its first 12 months of sales.” Subaru sales were up 5.4 percent through April. In addition to high expectations for the B9 Tribeca, the automaker expects the Forester will continue to be its top-selling sport wagon in 2005 with forecasted retail sales of 56,000 units and possibly another 2,500 units in fleet sales. It also expects to sell about 93,500 Legacy and Outback models.