Archive for the ‘Subaru’ Category
Seventh-generation gets new platform, new performance model, more.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Feb.07, 2019
The 2020 Subaru Legacy gets a bolder look with a more coupe-like roofline.
These days, SUVs and CUVs are all the rage, and Japanese automaker Subaru gets a large share of the credit for shifting public interest dating back to the introduction of its original Outback model.
But Subie isn’t through with passenger cars. Quite the contrary. We’ve seen updates to several models in recent times and now it’s giving a complete makeover to its flagship sedan.
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The 2020 Subaru Legacy starts off with an all-new platform that, the maker claims is far stiffer and boasts a lower center of gravity. There is a new foam-filled cross-member and the Subaru Global Platform adopts a new method for joining upper and lower bodies. Those technical details are intended to make the seventh-generation Legacy more agile, stable and quiet.
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Tags: 2019 chicago auto show, 2020 Subaru Legacy, subaru chicago auto show, subaru legacy, subaru legacy pics, subaru legacy review
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Chicago, First Look, Infotainment, Markets, SUVs, Safety, Safety, Sales, Sedans, Subaru, Technology, Technology, Trends, U.S./North America | 2 Comments »
Issue now resolved, company is back at full speed.
by Michael Strong on Jan.28, 2019
Subaru restarted production at its two factories in Gunma, Japan, after resolving a part defect issue.
Subaru resumed production at two plants in Japan after they were shut down for nearly two weeks due to a defect on a power-steering component.
The problem began in late December, according to the company, and involved the Forester, Impreza and Crosstrek models, but Subaru elected to halt production on other models assembled on the same lines. The shutdown began Jan. 16.
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The two factories in Gunma, north of Tokyo, were set to make 650,000 vehicles this year – two-thirds of Subaru’s total global output – before the shutdown. Many of those models produced on that line end up in the U.S., as it accounts for most of Subaru’s sales. (more…)
Tags: Subaru U.S. plant not impacted, Subaru power-steering component, Subaru production problem Japan, Subaru restarts production in Japan, Subaru resumes Japan production, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, michael strong, subaru news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Earnings, Executives, Markets, Personalities, Quality and Reliability, Sedans, Subaru, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Potential part defect causes halt; U.S. plant not affected.
by Michael Strong on Jan.23, 2019
Subaru halted production at its plant in Japan several days ago due to a potentially faulty component. Its U.S. plant is unaffected at this point.
Subaru slammed on the brakes on production at its plant in Japan, which accounts for 60% of its global production, due to a potential defect in a power-steering component.
The Japanese automaker hopes to restart production by Jan. 28, after it determines the cause of the problem. The company put a halt to production the night of Jan 16 after the problem was discovered, according to the Asahi newspaper.
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For now, only the Forester, Impreza and XV (a Japan-only vehicle) appear to be affected, but the company is reviewing its processes to make certain since its other vehicles are also built on the same production line. (more…)
Tags: Subaru U.S. plant not impacted, Subaru halts production in Japan, Subaru power-steering component, Subaru production problem Japan, Subaru slams on brakes in Japan, Subaru stops Japan production, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, michael strong, subaru news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Earnings, Executives, Markets, Personalities, Quality and Reliability, Safety, Sedans, Subaru, U.S./North America | Comments Off
SUVs, CUVs, even a few sedans and coupes.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jan.13, 2019
The North American International Auto Show will host scads of new vehicle debuts in January for the last time as it moves to June for 2020.
The North American International Auto Show is set to make its last winter run. No, NAIAS isn’t going away. It’s just moving to June in 2020, a definite relief for those who’ve had to trudge down to the Detroit riverfront for the annual event since it went “international” 30 years ago.
The show is a fair bit downsized from its glory days when as many as 70 new products debuted during three packed days of press previews. That said, this year’s event still has some significant, headline-making vehicles set to make a first appearance.
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And TheDetroitBureau.com has a list of the most important products set to show up in Detroit this year. Check out this preview of the upcoming week’s highlights: (more…)
Tags: 2019 north american international auto show, Detroit Auto Show, NAIAS ends January run, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, auto show news, biggest debuts at NAIAS 2019, important products at 2019 NAIAS, new vehicle debuts in Detroit, paul a. eisestein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Advertising, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, Cadillac, Concept Cars, Crossovers/CUVs, Designers, Detroit, EVs, Events, Executives, Ford, GAC, Kia, Lexus, Luxury Vehicles, Markets, Muscle Cars, Nissan, Personalities, Product Reveals, Ram, SUVs, Safety, Sales, Sedans, Sports Cars, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off
Performance boost for hot hatch could be in the works.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jan.04, 2019
Subaru is offering a little tease of what's to come in Detroit: The new WRX STI S209.
Subaru has long been a big player in the hot hatch segment with its WRX STI and it will show off what is expected to be an even sportier version at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit later this month.
But what exactly it has in mind with the WRX STI S209 remains to be seen. The “S” designation has been used on a number of models specifically earmarked for the Japanese domestic market, and this could signal that U.S. performance fans might now be able to get one, as well.
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There’s also the possibility that the S209 coming to Detroit could be used to signal the arrival of an all-new version of the performance hatchback which is, Subaru must admit, getting a little long in the tooth. (more…)
Tags: Subaru NAIAS 2019, Subaru hot hatch Detroit Auto Show, Subaru teases WRX STI S209, Subaru teases new WRX, Subaru's new WRX STI, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, paul a. eisenstein, subaru news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Business, China, Detroit, Europe, Events, Executives, Markets, NAFTA, Personalities, Product Reveals, Sales, Sales, South America, Sports Cars, Subaru, U.S./North America | Comments Off
EV range of 17 miles per charge.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Nov.21, 2018
Subaru's first plug-in hybrid, the Crosstrek PHEV, will make its debut next week.
Subaru is about to become the latest automaker to plug-in to battery power – quite literally, with its first-ever plug-in hybrid set to make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.
The Japanese carmaker will underplay the plug-in side of the drivetrain by calling its new model the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid – apparently lifting a page from Fiat Chrysler’s playbook, the Detroit automaker calling its own plug-in the Pacifica Hybrid.
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That said, the new version of the Subaru SUV will have the ability to travel about 17 miles in pure battery mode. That’s relatively modest compared to some current plug-in offerings, such as the Chevrolet Volt which gets three times the range, but it’s about what Toyota manages with its latest PHEV, the Prius Prime.
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Tags: 2018 la auto show, 2019 subaru crosstrek hybrid, LA Auto Show, auto news, car news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, plug-in hybrids, subaru crosstrek hybrid, subaru la auto show, subaru news, subaru phev, subaru plug-in, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Chevrolet, Electrified Vehicles, Environment, First Look, Fuel Economy, Hybrids, Los Angeles, Markets, SUVs, Safety, Safety, Sales, Subaru, Technology, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Japanese maker struggling to get inspection issue resolved.
by Michael Strong on Nov.05, 2018
Subaru plants in Japan are still struggling with false inspections, which will impact its yearly earnings.
Subaru continues to struggle with recall issues, saying it would recall more vehicles sold in the Japanese market due to newly found instances of inspection cheating. Coupled with its recent engine recall and other actions and the company’s profits are expected to be cut by about 25%.
The company plans to recall about 100,000 vehicles, including its popular Impreza sedan, after it was found the final tests for components including brakes were not conducted properly. Vehicles sold overseas will not be affected.
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“It’s unforgivable that these inspection-related issues are continuing,” CEO Tomomi Nakamura said. According to Reuters, he repeatedly added he believed that the latest recall would be the last related to testing misconduct. (more…)
Tags: Subaru engine recall, Subaru inspection problem, Subaru inspection scandal, Subaru profit hit coming, Subaru recalls hurt profit forecast, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, michael strong, subaru news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Business, China, Earnings, Executives, Financials, Markets, Personalities, Sales, Subaru, Trends, U.S./North America | 1 Comment »
A valve spring is root of the problem.
by Michael Strong on Nov.02, 2018
The 2012 Subaru Impreza is part of a recall of 165,000 cars in the U.S. due to a problem that could cause the engine to stall.
Subaru and Toyota partnered up to build engines and now they are partnering on a recall of about 165,000 U.S. vehicles to resolve an issue causing those engines to potentially stall.
The action covers about 140,000 Subaru vehicles in the U.S. and about 25,000 of Toyota’s now-defunct Scion brand vehicles.
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“There is a very small possibility of a valve spring fracture in a very small number of affected vehicles, which could lead to engine noise, malfunction or, in a worst-case scenario, an engine stall,” Subaru said in a statement. (more…)
Tags: 165K engines recalled, Subaru Toyota recall, Subaru and Toyota recall 165K engines, Subaru recall, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, engine stall forces Subaru Toyota recall, michael strong, subaru news, thedetroitbureau, toyota news, toyota recall
Posted in Automobiles, Executives, Lawsuits/Legal, Markets, Personalities, Quality and Reliability, Recalls, Safety, Subaru, Toyota, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Sixteen auto brands make Top 100 — GM and FCA brands not on the list.
by Michael Strong on Oct.11, 2018
Toyota was the top automotive brand in this year's Best Global Brands Top 100 list, taking seventh overall.
A quick poll of people asking what automaker is the best might net several folks saying “Tesla!” and while it does have a massive market cap, they’d be wrong. The best brand? Toyota.
According to Interbrand’s 2018 Best Global Brands report, Apple was the top company on the list with a valuation of $214 billion. Toyota was seventh on the list at $53 billion, which was up 6% over last year’s result.
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Overall, 15 automotive brands made the Top 100 list and while there aren’t really any surprises about what ones are on the list, those that are not on the list may be reason to take pause. None of the General Motors brands made this year’s list. The aforementioned Tesla did not make the list either. Nor did any of Fiat Chrysler’s brands. (more…)
Tags: 16 auto brands make Top 100, 2018 Best Global Brands, GM brands not on brand list, TheDetroitBureau.com., Toyota top auto brand, auto news, automotive brands, interbrand, michael strong, thedetroitbureau, top 100 brands
Posted in Asia Pacific, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, China, Europe, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Markets, Mercedes, Mini, NAFTA, Nissan, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Safety, Sales, South America, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | Comments Off
Automaker continues to better this quirky classic crossover.
by Joseph Szczesny on Sep.26, 2018
The 2019 Subaru Forester continues the brand's leadership in the can-do crossover segment.
The variety of utility vehicles has exploded in recent years and appears certain to grow exponentially for foreseeable future.
Manufacturers are moving quickly to cash in on the consumer interest in vehicles that might not have a lot of charm or sex appeal but are practical for life in a world that has become much more complex.
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One of the automakers that has deftly capitalized on the trend, of course, is Subaru. Subaru sells interesting passenger cars and has built a strong reputation for building safe vehicles. But it is the strength of utility vehicle line that has helped the brand record, as of the end of August, 81 consecutive months of year-over-year sales increases. (more…)
Tags: 2019 Subaru Forester, Forester car review, Forester continues evolution, Subaru improves new Forester, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto news, first drive Subaru Forester, joseph szczesny, new Forester better than predecessor, new Subaru Forester, subaru news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automakers, Crossovers/CUVs, First Drive, Markets, Reviews, Sales, Subaru, Trends, U.S./North America | Comments Off
