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Small Gain Big Impact - Subaru Sales Are Up The First Time In 12 Months

It wasn't a significant increase, but Subaru of America reported sales were up in June. Check out the results the automaker pulled off and what it means for the second half of 2022 and its customers.

Subaru of America (SOA) has to be thrilled with the sales results for June. The Camden, N.J. automaker reports 43,175 vehicle sales, a 0.7 percent increase in June, compared with June 2021 (42,877). It might be small, but it's the first time Subaru of America sales have increased in the last twelve months. Most automakers reported double-digit sales drops in June, but not Subaru.

It appears like a small victory, but it reveals strong demand for 2022 Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, Ascent, and other new all-wheel-drive models. It speaks to the automaker's "adventure-friendly" lineup that appeals to customers with active lifestyles.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Crosstrek, 2022 Subaru Outback
photo credit: Subaru West Palm Beach

Subaru of America isn't out of the woods yet. The first half of 2022 was rough for the Camden, N.J. automaker. SOA's sales dropped 17.9 percent in the first six months of 2022. Subaru is still saddled with supply chain issues and microchip shortages but seems to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Our priority for the second half of the year is to continue navigating supply chain challenges to best meet the strong demand for Subaru vehicles," said Jeff Walters, Senior Vice President of Sales.

2022 Subaru Outback
photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

Subaru Outback continues to lead the lineup

In June, the 2022 Subaru Outback remains the top performer in the lineup with 13,135 sales even though sales dropped 19.9 percent compared with June 2021 (16,394). The Outback is also the number one selling model in the first six months, with 77,341 midsize SUVs delivered to customers. Outback is down 11.7 percent year to date.

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Crosstrek is the top performer in 2022

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek continues to sizzle hot with 10,675 subcompact SUVs delivered to customers in June. That's a massive 66.4 percent increase over June 2021 sales (6,415). Crosstrek is the second best-selling all-wheel-drive model for SOA, with 70,050 models delivered to customers through the first six months. Crosstrek is one of the few models with a sales increase in 2022, up 9.1 percent year to date.

Forester is still falling behind

The refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester is third in SOA's lineup and continues to fall behind. The Forester dropped 9.8 percent, with 7,953 compact SUVs delivered to customers in June compared with 8,813 models sold in June 2021. 50,937 Forester SUVs have been sold through the first six months of 2022, a drop of 46.9 percent compared with 2021.

Ascent is now up four months in a row

The 2022 Subaru Ascent sales are up again in June, increasing for the fourth month in a row by 7.9 percent, with 5,603 3-Row SUVs delivered to customers compared with 5.192 in June 2021. The Ascent is up 9.0 percent year to date, with 30,931 3-Row SUVs sold to families in the first six months of 2022.

The 2022 Subaru Impreza compact sedan and hatchback saw a 28.2 percent increase compared to June 2021. The 2022 Legacy sedan had 2,026 sales and dropped 1.2 percent compared with 2,051 sales in June 2021.

Subaru's performance lineup of WRX and BRZ had mixed results. The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX dropped 37.8 percent, with 1,465 performance sedans delivered to customers compared with 2,354 models sold in June 2021. The all-new 2022 BRZ was up with 193 sport coupes sold compared to one model in June 2021.

"As the summer travel season is in full swing, we continue to see a desire for our adventure-friendly vehicles, including the Outback, Ascent, and Forester," said Jeff Walters.

The 2022 Subaru Outback midsize SUV, Outback Wilderness outdoor-themed trim level, the hot 2022 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV, and Ascent 3-Row family hauler are leading the way for Subaru of America. They helped SOA increase sales for the first time in twelve months.

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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: main image Schumacher Subaru