Subaru sales 40% down in September
07 October 2008, 07:29 PM
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Subaru sales 40% down in September
What does the future hold for Subaru in the UK during this credit crisis?
Was looking at the September sales figures for Subaru and they sold just 650 cars in the UK. That's a 40% drop on this time last year and only 90 cars more than Porsche who occupy a much smaller niche with a much smaller dealer network. And its safe to assume that some of those sales were actually self-registrations that will have to be flushed through the system in a few months time.
I do wonder how, with such low sales, IM can continue with the brand in its current format and current dealer network. They desperately need some decent product that will sell in the current economic climate.
Was looking at the September sales figures for Subaru and they sold just 650 cars in the UK. That's a 40% drop on this time last year and only 90 cars more than Porsche who occupy a much smaller niche with a much smaller dealer network. And its safe to assume that some of those sales were actually self-registrations that will have to be flushed through the system in a few months time.
I do wonder how, with such low sales, IM can continue with the brand in its current format and current dealer network. They desperately need some decent product that will sell in the current economic climate.
07 October 2008, 07:41 PM
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i dare say its not just subaru, can't imagine many people have been thinking of buying new with the way things are.
Although it would have been interesting to see how many they would have sold had the economy not been on its knees. imho.
Aaron
Although it would have been interesting to see how many they would have sold had the economy not been on its knees. imho.
Aaron
07 October 2008, 11:12 PM
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40% is a huge drop.
Saw figures for the VW group a few days back
Audi down 6%
Seat down 18%
Skoda down 19%
VW down 24%
So as I said, 40% is probably more than double the industry average.
Not surprised really.
My dealer told me before the Summer, that 2008 sales were well down on 2007.
Nothing to do with the fact that the hatch Impreza is pig ugly, and just not popular amongst buyers.
Davy
Saw figures for the VW group a few days back
Audi down 6%
Seat down 18%
Skoda down 19%
VW down 24%
So as I said, 40% is probably more than double the industry average.
Not surprised really.
My dealer told me before the Summer, that 2008 sales were well down on 2007.
Nothing to do with the fact that the hatch Impreza is pig ugly, and just not popular amongst buyers.
Davy
07 October 2008, 11:16 PM
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Maybe the government need to stop feckin taxing us with all this BS about saving the planet when all it's just a stealth tax.
New Car Tax, Mental Road Tax, Crazy Fuel Prices when is it ever going to end.......
New Car Tax, Mental Road Tax, Crazy Fuel Prices when is it ever going to end.......
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07 October 2008, 11:52 PM
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A 40% drop is about double the average. One or two other companies have also suffered big drops (e.g. Alfa, Chrysler, Renault). I think the problem Subaru have is that its a big drop on what was a small figure to start with. Even a company like Suzuki now sell about nine times as many cars as Subaru from a similarly sized dealer network.
08 October 2008, 12:41 AM
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It's not really a surprise. The credit crunch is hitting every car, with that plus the price of fuel and road tax I would imagine all performance cars are getting hit hard, as are 4x4s.
08 October 2008, 07:32 AM
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None of the Subaru cars have decent fuel consumption. So in a slump with higher fuel prices they just aren't going to sell.
And don't compare them with Porcshes or other exotics. The kind of individuals that aren't suffering because of the slump or don't care about fuel prices are unlikely to have Subaru on their list anyway.
Subaru have messed up. They changed their main car to be more modest and attractive to a wider market. But have somewhat alienated the niche market (ie, most of us on SN) that liked the oddball looks and performance of the old models. Whilst at the same time not doing enough (eg, fuel consumption) to attract new buyers to the fold.
And don't compare them with Porcshes or other exotics. The kind of individuals that aren't suffering because of the slump or don't care about fuel prices are unlikely to have Subaru on their list anyway.
Subaru have messed up. They changed their main car to be more modest and attractive to a wider market. But have somewhat alienated the niche market (ie, most of us on SN) that liked the oddball looks and performance of the old models. Whilst at the same time not doing enough (eg, fuel consumption) to attract new buyers to the fold.
08 October 2008, 07:55 AM
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.Subaru have messed up. They changed their main car to be more modest and attractive to a wider market. But have somewhat alienated the niche market (ie, most of us on SN) that liked the oddball looks and performance of the old models. Whilst at the same time not doing enough (eg, fuel consumption) to attract new buyers to the fold.
08 October 2008, 08:37 AM
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40% is a huge drop.
Saw figures for the VW group a few days back
Audi down 6%
Seat down 18%
Skoda down 19%
VW down 24%
So as I said, 40% is probably more than double the industry average.
Not surprised really.
My dealer told me before the Summer, that 2008 sales were well down on 2007.
Nothing to do with the fact that the hatch Impreza is pig ugly, and just not popular amongst buyers.
Davy
Saw figures for the VW group a few days back
Audi down 6%
Seat down 18%
Skoda down 19%
VW down 24%
So as I said, 40% is probably more than double the industry average.
Not surprised really.
My dealer told me before the Summer, that 2008 sales were well down on 2007.
Nothing to do with the fact that the hatch Impreza is pig ugly, and just not popular amongst buyers.
Davy
PLUS
Subaru were always going to suffer more due to the fact they have only just released their 1st diesel....
08 October 2008, 10:27 AM
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I'm still amazed that the design team came up with the latest version of the WRX. What the **** were they smoking?
Is there anyone who actually likes it?
Is there anyone who actually likes it?
08 October 2008, 11:13 AM
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Any manufacturer who relies soley on 4x4 vehicles with poor fuel consumption and high band CO2 emissions will suffer a dramatic fall in sales. Not to mention tweaking their core car to such an extent over the years that their original market doesn't want it. Can't say I have any sympathy with Subaru either.
Also, mpg is a concern to many Impreza owners as the price of fuel is so much more than it was even a year ago; many owners use them as a main mode of transport.
Also, mpg is a concern to many Impreza owners as the price of fuel is so much more than it was even a year ago; many owners use them as a main mode of transport.
08 October 2008, 11:21 AM
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"Also, mpg is a concern to many Impreza owners as the price of fuel is so much more than it was even a year ago; many owners use them as a main mode of transport."
Unfortunately the only answer to this is not to drive to work like the Stig and you will be amazed the difference in MPG you get.
I do a huge amount of motorway miles in my Wagon and over the last few months have dropped the average speed to 60mph (as have a lot of other scoobs I see out there on the worlds largest car park we call the M25) instead of the usual 70 ish and my fuel economy is so much better.
In the good old days when my mission was to kill polar bears every time I drove I got about 280 miles to a tank, know its approaching 360 miles! and when you do 40,000 miles a year thats a huge difference.
Unfortunately the only answer to this is not to drive to work like the Stig and you will be amazed the difference in MPG you get.
I do a huge amount of motorway miles in my Wagon and over the last few months have dropped the average speed to 60mph (as have a lot of other scoobs I see out there on the worlds largest car park we call the M25) instead of the usual 70 ish and my fuel economy is so much better.
In the good old days when my mission was to kill polar bears every time I drove I got about 280 miles to a tank, know its approaching 360 miles! and when you do 40,000 miles a year thats a huge difference.
08 October 2008, 11:22 AM
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nissan in sunderland has took on extra staff to help build the new 7 seater car
but yeah, i deal with a few motor traders and they are all suffering quite badly
but yeah, i deal with a few motor traders and they are all suffering quite badly
08 October 2008, 11:28 AM
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At the moment my tank is a quarter full and the trip is showing 300 miles. I'm personally not moaning about mpg otherwise I'd have sold it by now. I even got 372 mpg from a P1 once. Similarly if I had a diesel, instead of 300 plus from a tank I'd get 600 plus from a tank.
08 October 2008, 02:27 PM
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There are loads of performance cars now kicking out less CO2 than most Scoobs.
Golf GTi 230 Pirelli 194g/km
Civic Type R 213 g/km
Focus ST 224 g/km
Audi TT 272 Quattro 191 g/km
Mondeo ST 220 222g/km
Merc C Class V6 3,5 Coupe 232 g/km
Mini Cooper S 164 g/km
Cayman 2.7 222 g/km
SAAB 9-5 2.3 HOT 214 g/km
Astra VXR 221 g/km
Audi have managed to get a 2.0l Turbo down to 191 g/km, so whats Subaru's excuse?
I have a fuel munching monster and love it but Subaru will soon have to wake up and get a grip of the emission thing whether they like it or not if they want to get on.
Golf GTi 230 Pirelli 194g/km
Civic Type R 213 g/km
Focus ST 224 g/km
Audi TT 272 Quattro 191 g/km
Mondeo ST 220 222g/km
Merc C Class V6 3,5 Coupe 232 g/km
Mini Cooper S 164 g/km
Cayman 2.7 222 g/km
SAAB 9-5 2.3 HOT 214 g/km
Astra VXR 221 g/km
Audi have managed to get a 2.0l Turbo down to 191 g/km, so whats Subaru's excuse?
I have a fuel munching monster and love it but Subaru will soon have to wake up and get a grip of the emission thing whether they like it or not if they want to get on.
08 October 2008, 02:33 PM
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Used car sales are down too. That is why I have way too much time to read Scoobynet! People are just keeping their money close at the moment, just in case they really need it. Changing the car is being put on the back burner it would seem.
08 October 2008, 02:47 PM
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"Unfortunately the only answer to this is not to drive to work like the Stig and you will be amazed the difference in MPG you get"
My standard WRX and can't get over 290 miles per tank. I've attempted to be as liberal as possible and cannot beat it. Not that I'm moaning, she just wont do anymore, unless I push it for the final 10.
My standard WRX and can't get over 290 miles per tank. I've attempted to be as liberal as possible and cannot beat it. Not that I'm moaning, she just wont do anymore, unless I push it for the final 10.
