2005 Subaru Outback Xt Limited Wagon 4-door 2.5l on 2040-cars

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Toyota updates 86 in Japan with this weird special edition

In their constant drive for perfection, Japanese automakers Toyota and Subaru have both announced some minor updates for their jointly produced sports car specifically for their domestic market. Both the Toyota 86 (known in these parts as the Scion FR-S) and the Subaru BRZ are getting a revised version of the electric power steering system they were designed with in the first place as well as a reworked suspension. The more intriguing news, though, is the strange restyling Toyota is offering on the 86 Style Cb edition. Ditching the aggressively angular front end of the existing model, this special edition gets rounded headlamps and an extended nose to give it a much less severe face. The Toyota 86 Style Cb is also being offered with an optional two-tone paint scheme and gets unique LED turning indicator strips, a special badge on the bulbous snout and revised interior trim. We'll chalk it up to a matter of personal taste, but as far as JDM specials go, this special edition isn't one over which we'll be terribly disappointed if it never makes it to US showrooms. We'll be sure to keep you posted if and when any of the mechanical updates make the trip across the Pacific, though. Related Video:

Subaru supplies running low as automaker struggles to keep up with US demand

Consumers in the US are gobbling up Subaru models, a trend that may result in dealer shortages if the Japanese automaker isn't able to meet the surging demand. A quick look at the numbers reveals a 25.2 percent year-over-year jump in April US sales, and a 17-percent gain for the first quarter of 2013. The sales are so strong that the company's CEO, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga, told the Wall Street Journal that Subaru will exceed its 2016 goals (380,000 US units sold) by the end of the company's current business year. The US market has grown to be one of Subaru's best, with the company now logging about half its global sales on our shores.
While strong sales are good problem to have, the automaker has relatively limited production capacity, which may leave dealers with sparse inventory. Certain models, such as the popular Forester crossover (shown above), could hit 10,000 units this month with the plant at full capacity (far above its target of 8,000 units). On average, the US car industry has a 60-day supply of vehicles on hand, but inventory for the new Forester is at just 16 days. "If this situation persists, we'll face a supply shortage," Mr. Yoshinaga told the WSJ.
Despite being one of the smallest Japanese automakers by volume, this is all positive news for Subaru and parent Fuji Heavy Industries, which projects a second straight year of record operating profit thanks to strong US sales and a weaker yen.

Subaru breaks all-time sales record well before year end

In case you needed a reminder, Subaru is hot. The Japanese all-wheel-drive specialist is doing so well that it broke its 12-month sales record in just 11 months. That's great, but even more impressive is that this is the company's seventh successive record-breaking year and its eighth year of overall growth. Through November, the bulk of Subaru's sales came from its strong crossover lineup – the Forester, Outback, and XV Crosstrek accounted for 350,000 of the company's 513,000-plus sales. As for the Impreza, Legacy, and high-performance WRX/STI, there were also "significant year-to-date increases," according the company's official release. You can expect a full report on not only Subaru's November and year-to-date numbers, but the entire industry's sales figures, in our latest installment of By The Numbers. Stay tuned. Related Video: SUBARU OF AMERICA BREAKS ALL-TIME SALES RECORD AHEAD OF NOVEMBER SALES REPORTING Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has reported it has broken its previous yearly sales record with a month of the year still remaining. Sales for 2015 have now surpassed the previous annual sales record of 513,693 vehicles set in 2014 and mark the company's eighth year of sales growth and seventh successive sales record. Sales in 2015 have been driven by the Forester, Outback and Crosstrek carlines. Combined, the three crossover vehicles now retail over 350,000 units per year. Subaru sedans; Legacy, Impreza and WRX/STI, have also seen significant year-to-date increases. Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. said; "We are delighted to be celebrating yet another record. Our continued growth is built on strong products and outstanding retailers providing a great customer experience. We thank all of our retailers for their continued commitment in making these record-breaking sales possible. Given consumer demand for our products, we expect a strong close of 2015." Full month and year-to-date sales figures for November 2015 will be released on December 1. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc.