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Refreshed Subaru Forester Sales Plummet Amid New Model Shortages

If it weren't for the recent new car shortage, the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester would be out-selling the competition. But Forester sales are plummeting.

If not for the microchip shortages shutting down Subaru's new model production for eight days already this year, the Camden, N.J. automaker would likely be seeing record sales of the newly-refreshed 2022 Forester compact SUV. But Forester sales are plummeting.

In March, shortages of the refreshed 2022 Forester and other models dropped sales to 43,322 models delivered to customers in the U.S., a 34.1 percent decrease compared with March 2021 (65,726).

2022 Subaru Forester features, specs, pricing, fuel mileage
photo credit: Competition Subaru

The 2022 Forester compact SUV saw the most significant drop in the SUV lineup again. Forester dropped 68.7 percent from March 2021, with only 6,572 models delivered to customers compared with 21,005 in March 2021. Subaru shut off orders for the redesigned Forester for three weeks since March 7th, and why the compact SUV had such low sales performance.

Crosstrek moves ahead of the Forester for the first time

The 2022 Crosstrek subcompact SUV is now the number-one overall selling model in the all-wheel-drive lineup in the first three months of 2022. Crosstrek passed the 2022 Forester compact SUV and the 2022 Outback midsize SUV. The Forester has been the top-selling model in SOA's all-wheel-drive lineup, but Crosstrek is the new leader.

2022 Subaru Forester features, specs, pricing, fuel mileage

What should customers do if they want a new Forester?

After orders of the Forester were shut off in March for three weeks, customers can now place an order.

During the new model shortages, ordering a new Forester from Subaru retailers and shipping from the factory is the customer's best option. Building the new compact SUV ensures you get the exact trim level, color, and option package you want and is a little-known method to save time tracking down a vehicle that fits your needs.

Subaru of America is unique regarding tight inventory because U.S. retailers have been selling through their pipeline for years. You can now lock in the price ahead of time, and there are no surprises. The most important thing through this process is to have patience.

How long will it take to get a Forester once I order?

Sources tell us that the delivery of new models takes four-to-six months for vehicles coming from Japan.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Forester?

The 2022 Forester comes in six trim levels; The base Forester starts at $26,320, Premium ($29,320), Sport ($30,890), Limited ($33,000), new Wilderness ($33,945), and Touring ($36,420). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,125).

Without the recent new model shortage, the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester would be the sales leader in the automaker's all-wheel-drive lineup. But Subaru of America and the Forester have fallen on hard times, and sales plummet.

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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: Competition Subaru