2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx Sedan 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #344 LIVE!

We're set to record Autoblog Podcast #344 tonight, joined by Doug DeMuro, author of Plays With Cars, formerly of Porsche Cars North America, and all-around swell guy. You can drop us your questions and comments via our Q&A module below, and we'll give them extra-diligent attention. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #344
BRZ STI?

Subaru mulls motorsports return, nixes small CUV plans

The Subaru WRX STI breaking the automotive lap record at the Isle of Man might be just the beginning of the headlines trumpeting a Subaru racecar. According to the latest rumors, the Japanese brand is looking at taking motorsports more seriously in the future. That could possibly even mean endurance racing at Le Mans.
According to Auto Express, the brand is mulling a greater participation in motorsport, but the big question is where. The World Rally Championship isn't a certainty because it now favors smaller cars like the Volkswagen Polo. Subaru still competes in series like Rally America and Global Rallycross, but there are bigger stages to play on.
What's interesting, is that this commitment to motorsports comes right as the automaker is denying plans to build a small CUV for its passenger car lineup. According to Auto Express, the company has no intention of developing a crossover smaller than the current XV Crosstrek. Even if the sales are there, it would just cost too much to develop. In the US, at least, the XV is doing great with sales up 42 percent in July.

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.