Subaru Executives and Local Community Celebrate Subaru of Plano Groundbreaking
- New dealership to feature design of next generation Subaru Signature Facility Program -
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 13 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today broke ground in Plano, Texas on the future site of the new dealership, Subaru of Plano. In a morning ceremony, executives from Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru of Dallas, distinguished guests and members of the local business community gathered to celebrate the occasion.
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The dealership will serve as one of several strategically located "antenna stores" Subaru is setting up across the country to provide more direct consumer preferences and retail experience feedback to its parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan. The new Subaru of Plano will be the first to feature the latest interior and exterior designs of the next generation Subaru Signature Facility Program that Subaru dealers will adopt across the country.
Subaru of Plano will be built and owned by Subaru of America, Inc. and leased to David Thomas, current managing partner of the successful Subaru of Dallas store. Mr. Thomas intends to eventually purchase the Plano dealership.
"We are extremely pleased to be here in Plano to break ground on what will be a showcase facility for Subaru," said Fred Adcock, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. "Our successful partnership with David Thomas and his group truly makes this possible. Plano is a beautiful city with a business friendly environment and its surrounding market area is the second largest in the country based on vehicle registrations. Given the fact that the population is expected to grow here nearly 24 percent by 2009, we think it is also an excellent location to attract new customers to the brand and gain valuable feedback to continue to enhance the Subaru purchase and ownership experience."
"When Subaru originally mentioned the idea to me in 2003, I jumped at the opportunity," said David Thomas, managing partner, Subaru of Dallas. "Subaru has the strongest product lineup in its history, and they are now evolving and enhancing their retail experience to support it. I'm looking forward to being an integral part of the process and I'm more than willing to continue to invest in the bright future of the Subaru brand."
Under the next generation of the Subaru Signature Facility Program, the new Subaru of Plano facility will present a contemporary image that is very representative of the progressive, advanced technology of Subaru vehicles. The exterior finishes include metallic surfaces, natural slate, and a sleek, all- glass view into the showroom. The curved front wall will provide both architectural interest and express progress. A simple portico will welcome customers into the facility.
The interior architecture will provide high, open spaces with extensive sight lines between areas. A mixture of both private and open spaces will be offered for all customer functions, including sales, service, and waiting. The service technology and vehicle care is proudly displayed from windows within the waiting area.
The materials to be used throughout the interior of the facility include natural slate, cherry hardwood flooring, architectural glazing, granite surfaces, wood veneer furnishings, and leather upholstery, to express richness, authenticity and quality. The interior will also be illuminated with soft, consistent lighting.
Subaru Sales
Subaru of America, Inc. is on track to achieve another all-time sales record in 2005, bettering the more than 187,400 vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2004. Sales were bolstered this year by the launch of the company's first- ever, mid-size SUV, the Subaru B9 Tribeca. Subaru has gained traction in the Sunbelt market, up more than 15 percent over the last several years, with the success of the B9 Tribeca as well as the popularity of its driving performance products such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Legacy 2.5 GT Sedan.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2004. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com/.
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