The new Subaru XV is a rival Nissan Qashqai and little change in the concept car shown at 2011-Shanghai Auto Show. It goes on sale in spring 2012.
Subaru and take on the Toyota FT-86 coupe will arrive at the same time. It will sport a 2.0-liter boxer engine naturally aspirated, and be determined rear-wheel drive, unusual for Subaru.
Subaru UK sales history
Subaru sales in the UK have reported in recent years, the declining trend rally turbo derivatives and new products like the Impreza hatchback buyers confused. It has sold fewer than 4,000 cars this year in the last two years.
But with the addition of the new XV and cut - along with a new arrival Impreza in 2012 - Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director of Subaru in the UK, the promises of the brand soon will be back to 6000-7000 sales a year.
"In the 1990s, we used to sell STi models 2000-3000 only, but the trend is gone," said Tunnicliffe. "We had to diversify and will now launch more new models.
"The XV is a rival of the Ford Kuga and Nissan Qashqai. It is four wheel drive and we offer 1.6 and 2.0 liters of gasoline and diesel engines of 2.0 liters. We hope for sales XV around 2000 in an entire year.
The new Subaru coupe will be a product of lesser volume of about 500 per year. It has a 200 horsepower engine 2.0-liter naturally aspirated and there will be lots of fun. "
Subaru make it profitable again
Tunnicliffe admitted that the company barely profitable in less than 4,000 cars a year, but predicted that the new models to boost sales of 6500-7000 sales in 2012.
Subaru was hit by a 45% growth rate of the yen and the earthquake in March 2011 is likely to hit the supply of this year. But the company has agreed to a new model program that should see the weird Japanese automaker back on the map for enthusiasts who want something different.
