After 11 years of YtD records, Subaru sales down due to COVID-19 closures

Gabrielle Saulsbery//May 4, 2020//

After 11 years of YtD records, Subaru sales down due to COVID-19 closures

Gabrielle Saulsbery//May 4, 2020//

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Subaru of America Inc. reported a 47 percent year over year decrease in April vehicle sales.

Subaru credits the loss in sales to the impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent retailer shutdowns that have impacted the automobile industry.

After 11 consecutive years of year-to-date sales records, Subaru reported a 25 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2019. Year-to-date, Subaru has sold 161,211 cars, 30,620 of them in April.

“While this pandemic has been difficult for the auto industry, April sales for Subaru were better than expected,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Doll in a prepared statement. “We are immensely proud of our retailers’ efforts and perseverance in this difficult market.”

From left, the event was led by Subaru of America President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Doll and Food Bank of South Jersey CEO Fred Wasiak. “With this donation from Subaru, the Food Bank of South Jersey will be able to provide meals on a weekly basis to hundreds of children for an entire school year,” Wasiak said.
From left, the event was led by Subaru of America President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Doll and Food Bank of South Jersey CEO Fred Wasiak. “With this donation from Subaru, the Food Bank of South Jersey will be able to provide meals on a weekly basis to hundreds of children for an entire school year,” Wasiak said. – SUBARU OF AMERICA

Doll noted that through its partnership with Feeding America, Subaru and its retailers have joined forces to provide 50 million meals nationwide to those experiencing difficulty accessing and purchasing food.

“April sales are reflective of the current state of the automotive industry during an unprecedented time, but our customer’s confidence in the quality and capability of Subaru vehicles remains as strong as ever. Awards like Kelley Blue Book naming Subaru the ‘Most Trusted Brand’ of 2020 are more important now than they ever have been,” said Senior Vice President of Sales Jeff Walters in a statement. “Our retailers continue to provide safe car-buying environments and expand methods of vehicle service, in addition to continuing to care for their local communities.”

The Forester line was the least hit, experiencing a year-to-date loss of 12.5 percent. The BRZ sports car line was most hit, experiencing a year-to-date loss of 55.1 percent.