Subaru Launches Redesigned Subaru.com
26 July 2000
New Site Provides Expanded Functionality and Superior Customer Experience
CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc., a pioneer of crossover all-
wheel drive vehicles designed for the active lifestyle, announced today the
launch of the redesigned Subaru.com Web site. Upon entering the new site,
guests are asked to "choose your path" for content targeted to owners, shoppers,
buyers or information seekers. The site delivers expanded shopping
functionality, improved owner resources and streamlined navigation thanks to an
integrated connection between Subaru of America and Subaru dealers.
The on-line vehicle shopping experience is enhanced by organizing
functions and information into portals that provide resources at all stages of
the research and buying process:
Shop@Subaru:
-- From the Subaru.com home page, guests can click through to a shopping
portal that provides the information needed to make an informed product
decision in one convenient area. Guests can access information on the
Subaru model line up, pricing and specifications, learn about the
unique Subaru All-Wheel Driving System, build a Subaru to their
specifications, print a window sticker and view 360 degree images of
Subaru vehicles. The Shop@Subaru content channel also houses the
Competitive Comparison, an independent source of information to see how
Subaru vehicles stack up to the competition, provided by the Automotive
Information Center.
Dealer Quote:
-- For those interested in purchasing a Subaru, the new Subaru.com
provides a fast and easy dealer price quote system. The new system
allows guests to request price quote from their local Subaru dealer in
two steps and is always available with one click of the mouse.
Links to Dealer Web Sites:
-- Utilizing an integrated connection to Subaru dealer Web sites, guests
to Subaru.com can browse in-stock inventory, pricing and specials at
participating Subaru dealers quickly and easily. The Dealer sites also
enable guests to initiate vehicle, parts or service requests and send
email directly to the dealer of their choice.
In addition to improving the shopping process for prospective Subaru
owners, the redesigned Subaru.com provides an owner's channel with resources
for current Subaru owners.
The new Owners@Subaru portal includes information on vehicle maintenance
and warranty, as well as car care tips and Subaru news.
Central to the Owners portal will be a personalized owner's site, which is
currently in testing with approximately 2000 Subaru owners. The site is
designed to be a one-stop, personalized resource for Subaru owners, including
personalized information unique each individual's vehicle. Owners@Subaru will
include automated updates of all dealer service work performed through
warranty, Subaru Added Security or Subaru maintenance plans, as well as a log
for owners to track other services and maintenance performed. It also
features automated maintenance and recall reminders, a link to Kelley Blue
Book for trade valuation and links to the owner's preferred Subaru dealer.
The site also includes an owner's community section as well as opt-in e-mail
to learn about Subaru events and offers that meet the owner's interests. A
large scale rollout of the owners site is scheduled for the fall.
Subaru will continue to augment its public Internet site over the next
several months. "Subaru customers are among the most net savvy in the
industry, and we want to make it easy to do business with us on their terms,"
said Tim Colbeck, director, e-business, Subaru of America, Inc. "The
redesigned site is the first phase in a complete transformation of Subaru.com
and reflects our ongoing commitment to enhance the Subaru experience for our
community of owners and potential owners."
The recently expanded Subaru.com was developed in partnership with
Subaru's Internet agency of record, Sixty Foot Spider. The new Owners@Subaru
site was developed with Computer Sciences Corporation.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of nearly 600 franchised dealers across the United States. All Legacy
and Outback models sold in the U.S. are produced at the company's American
manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc., near Lafayette, Ind.
Over the past eight years, the company has nearly tripled its revenues and
seen its sales increase by nearly 100 percent thanks to its popular line of
car-based sport utility vehicles. The company is among the fastest growing
brands in the automobile industry and was recently named "Most Improved Car
Company in the World" by the London-based Financial Times Automotive World
Magazine.