Subaru Impreza Release Delayed to November With Limited Supplies

It looks like Subaru’s hard times aren’t over yet, as after the “divorce” with WRX, one of the Japanese carmaker's most famous products now faces another challenge. The earthquake in Japan has forced Subaru to postpone the launch of it’s long awaited redesigned Imprezacompact and its other scheduled models for release by two months. After the unexpected delay, the redesigned Impreza will go on sale in November instead of September.

Furthermore another bump seams to appear on the road, since Subaru dealerships aren’t likely to have sufficient inventory until December, as explained by Subaru’s new top executive in U.S., Takeshi Tachimori. The new model which is scheduled to go on sale in November is considered as a key part in Subaru’s goal to increase U.S. sales more than 30 percent to 350,000 units within five years.

Furthermore Subaru plans to add a hybrid, a compact crossover and a sports coupe within three years. In order to meet the U.S customer demand the new Subaru Impreza has received larger interior and better fuel economy, as revealed by Takeshi Tachimori, who also plans to double sales of the current model from 2,500 to 3,000 units per month, as related by autonews.com.

Tachimori is reserved when it comes to forecasting 2012 sales, but he expects figures to grow thanks so the redesigned Impreza, higher sales of the Legacy sedan, and the awaited launch next spring of the Subaru coupe.The sports car will be fitted with a rear-drive drivetrain and will be positioned in between the Impreza and the Legacy. The 2013 Subaru will be the first hybrid offered by the manufacturer in the United States. Tachimori explained that hybrid will have rather light proportions:”because customers for the hybrid market want fuel economy and fuel efficiency.”Takeshi Tachimori was quoted by the aforementioned source.