Bad News For Subaru As They Finish 2021 And What’s Ahead For Shoppers

Subaru will finish 2021 with its second straight year of sales declines, the first time it has happed since 1995. A report from Automotive News (by subscription) says Subaru Corporation President and CEO Tomomi Nakamura told them Subaru of America isn't expected to reach 600,000 sales in 2021, short of the 611,942 vehicles Subaru sold in the U.S. in 2020.

It's not because Subaru vehicles are not in demand, but because of the global microchip shortages. "We'll have to consider orders after the Thanksgiving holiday, but we're looking at a little more difficult situation than in previous months," Nakamura said of the U.S. sales outlook. "For the calendar year, we're expecting a number that is below 600,000."

photo credit: Timmons Subaru

Subaru expects improved inventory for customers

Nakamura told AN he expects a return to growth after two years of sales declines. "There is still uncertainty surrounding the semiconductor situation. So, we don't have a firm target at this point. But industry demand will be around 15.5 million or 16 million in the U.S., and considering that, we are looking at a number in the region around 650,000 units", Nakamura said.

What's ahead for Subaru customers in 2022?

Customers looking for a 2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Outback, or 2022 Crosstrek will still find a limited inventory of the popular SUVs at the end of 2021 and early 2022. Cars.com reports Subaru has a 20 days' supply of vehicles, according to data from Cox Automotive.

photo credit: Timmons Subaru

But those numbers are skewed because they include new Subaru vehicles in the pipeline being shipped from Japan and models from Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

A source close to Subaru told us 99 percent of their allocation of new 2022 Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek models are already pre-sold through February 2022. This is the case with many Subaru retailers across North America.

New 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek models will continue to be hard to find. Cars.com reports one primary online shopping website lists less than 1,500 Foresters for sale among all U.S. Subaru retailers. At Timmons Subaru in Long Beach, California, two 2022 Forester compact SUVs are advertised, and both are in transit from the factory in Japan.

The good news is, Subaru's first all-electric SUV, the Solterra, will arrive mid-2022. Check out the complete 2023 Subaru Solterra report below and why it will immediately be one of the most reliable EVs with fewer issues than most new models.

Subaru of America will be happy to see 2021 go, and they are looking for improved inventory in 2022. According to Subaru Corporation President and CEO Tomomi Nakamura, better days are coming for customers looking for a 2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Outback, and 2022 Crosstrek SUVs. Stay tuned.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Timmons Subaru