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Subaru hits 500,000 sales in the US in 2014, a record for the brand

Having sold 336,441 cars in the US in 2012, Subaru said in early 2013 that it wanted to hit 500,000 annual sales here by 2015. After boosting sales to 424,683 in 2013, it's hit its half-mil target a year early: on December 29, 2014 Subaru sold its 500,000th car, and the sales year didn't end until January 2. The brand has never done that before in a calendar year, and on top of being an eighteen-percent improvement year-on-year, 2014 is Subaru's seventh year of growth. Every model is up for the year except for the BRZ and the Tribeca. The Outback and Legacy are on fire, practically doubling their sales numbers through the end of November compared to 2013. In addition to making better and better cars, Subaru credits nicer dealerships with better workflows, and improved marketing and advertising. If history is any indication, the final number could be appreciably above 500,000 even with just four days of selling left. Subaru only needed 36,230 sales in December to hit 500,000; it sold 45,273 cars in November, and for the past four years it sold more cars in December than November. Admittedly, November was its third best-selling month of the past five years. Leaders at the automaker are confident about this year as well, saying, "[we] expect 2015 to also be another record year." But our favorite line in the press release announcing the feat: "The current generation of Subaru vehicles grew in size compared to the previous generation in order to better suit the needs of the American buyer." Hey Subaru, you calling us fat? SUBARU OF AMERICA REACHES 500,000 SALES MILESTONE IN 2014 - Subaru sales in U.S. top 500,000 for the first time in a calendar year - 500,000th vehicle sold on December 29 - All models contributing to sales increase Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. has reached a significant milestone in its history, by retailing 500,000 vehicles in a single calendar year. The milestone caps a remarkable seven year growth period for the brand in the U.S. in which the company has grown from 187,699 vehicle sales in 2008 to what will total over 500,000 sales in 2014, once the sales year closes on January 2. The growth in Subaru sales can be attributed to a combination of improved vehicle offerings, targeted and award-winning marketing and an improved retailer body.

2015 Subaru Legacy, Outback crash their way to IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings [w/video]

The Subaru Legacy and Outback are the latest vehicles to be awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's most prestigious safety title, Top Safety Pick+.
As we've explained many times before, this only applies vehicles that can score an "Acceptable" or "Good" rating on the five IIHS crash tests and earn at least a "Basic" rating for crash prevention systems.
In the Legacy's case, it totally aced IIHS's testing, earning "Good" scores on the small overlap, front moderate overlap, side impact, roof crush and rear impact tests, while also bringing home the top "Superior" rating for its optional EyeSight system.

2013 Subaru Outback Limited

Subaru has given the 2013 Outback a host of detail changes and updates, though you'd hardly know from looking at it. The mild exterior changes mostly go unnoticed, and if you're comparing on a numbers basis, the new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is bang-on what the old engine would do. The biggest news is EyeSight, Subaru's new stereo camera-based system that drives lane-departure warning, active cruise control, automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert functions.
The 2013 Outback spent some time in my driveway, and as far as jacked-up wagons with off-road cladding go, this is one of the most affordable of the lot. That doesn't mean it's cheap; the Outback I tried was a Limited model with moonroof, navigation, EyeSight, leather and CVT added on. That takes the Outback from its roughly $25,000 starting point and adds nearly $10,000, landing solidly in the mid-$30,000 range. Still, against its most natural competitors like the Volvo XC70 and Audi A6 Avant, the Outback is a better value.
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