Proof that Subaru is officially a part of GM
12-26-2003, 02:21 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Proof that Subaru is officially a part of GM
Look at this page for the North American International Autoshow
http://www2.naias.com/images/floorpl...?sectionID=230
Note the location of subaru. Nestling up close to its GM bretheren!
Just thought it interesting....I wonder when they will roll the GM buying power card over to benefit Subaru cars. Or maybe open a factory in the US making Subarus..... Maybe the New Legacy will get a Delco radio with those huge ugly buttons instead of the McIntosh system.
Maybe GM has grown a brain and will not bean-count its cars into 8 different versions of the same watered down form.
The future is unsure with the General in command.
http://www2.naias.com/images/floorpl...?sectionID=230
Note the location of subaru. Nestling up close to its GM bretheren!
Just thought it interesting....I wonder when they will roll the GM buying power card over to benefit Subaru cars. Or maybe open a factory in the US making Subarus..... Maybe the New Legacy will get a Delco radio with those huge ugly buttons instead of the McIntosh system.
Maybe GM has grown a brain and will not bean-count its cars into 8 different versions of the same watered down form.
The future is unsure with the General in command.
12-26-2003, 03:39 PM
#3
I don't think we have to worry about the General taking ironfisted control of Subaru any time soon (like Saab recently). Subaru is profitable, and there is no need for GM to come in and screw things up. GM only own 20% of FHI, and the final word on any decision still rests on Subaru and FHI execs.
GM probably just pitched in a little money to help get them a spot at NAIAS
GM probably just pitched in a little money to help get them a spot at NAIAS
12-26-2003, 06:46 PM
#5
I have to disagree. I don't think it's necessarily "just a matter of time." As long as Subaru is profitable, they can fend off GM. They won't need to sell stock to stay afloat, and GM won't need to force Subaru to make crap to keep Subaru afloat.
I don't think the floor layout at an Autoshow really warrants this panic.
As for a Subaru plant in the US, there already is one in Illinois. It's co-operated by Isuzu (GM owns a majority of their stock) and Subaru has a slight upper hand in this plant. The Isuzu part was losing money, and had to cut workers. The Subaru part had to call over half those workers back because demand was so high. Right now, Subaru is making money for GM and saving their workforce, so there is *no* reason for GM to mess with things. GM is smart enough to not fiddle with a profitable business.
Now, this may all change if Subaru fails to be profitable, but let's just keep buying Subarus to prevent that from happening.
I don't think the floor layout at an Autoshow really warrants this panic.
As for a Subaru plant in the US, there already is one in Illinois. It's co-operated by Isuzu (GM owns a majority of their stock) and Subaru has a slight upper hand in this plant. The Isuzu part was losing money, and had to cut workers. The Subaru part had to call over half those workers back because demand was so high. Right now, Subaru is making money for GM and saving their workforce, so there is *no* reason for GM to mess with things. GM is smart enough to not fiddle with a profitable business.
Now, this may all change if Subaru fails to be profitable, but let's just keep buying Subarus to prevent that from happening.
12-26-2003, 07:09 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Va
Posts: 50
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon - Java Black
Just got my new issue of Autoweek and read about the new "SAABuru" SAAB 9-2 based on the WRX. I know this isn't the first sighting but... GM sure likes to screw around don't they!
12-26-2003, 07:53 PM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tyler, Texas
Posts: 205
Car Info: 1998 Impreza L EJ22
I happen to think that we should be somewhat honored, because if all these cars are based on Subarus, shouldn't we be happy to know that we are driving the "roots" of most cars? Just my .02
12-27-2003, 12:44 AM
#11
Angry Dan
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: www.turboculture.com
Posts: 7,183
Car Info: 05 Evo VIII
Anyone have a link to "how profitable" Subaru has been in the last 3 years???
I'd like to see before WRX (in North America) & Forester #'s and after #'s
Subaru has to be making a killing now???
I'd like to see before WRX (in North America) & Forester #'s and after #'s
Subaru has to be making a killing now???
Last edited by Mach5WRX; 12-27-2003 at 12:46 AM.
12-27-2003, 01:11 AM
#12
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/D...es&Cache=False
This shows the difference from 2002 to 2003. There has been a 4% increase year to date (press release for November sales). That month was actually about 5% lower then last November, but the whole year is a little more typical then a single month. I think if you dig around, you might be able to find other press releases, they release one every month.
They won't release dollar figures (obviously) but this should at least be some sort of insight into their profitability.
Edit: Check these links out...
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/D...es&Cache=False
In October 2001, year-to-date increase of 17%
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/D...es&Cache=False
In November 2002, year-to-date decrease of 3%
And don't forget with the November 2003 year-to-date increase of 4%, it looks like Subaru might topple 2001 sales figures (which I believe was the highest selling year in Subaru history).
This shows the difference from 2002 to 2003. There has been a 4% increase year to date (press release for November sales). That month was actually about 5% lower then last November, but the whole year is a little more typical then a single month. I think if you dig around, you might be able to find other press releases, they release one every month.
They won't release dollar figures (obviously) but this should at least be some sort of insight into their profitability.
Edit: Check these links out...
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/D...es&Cache=False
In October 2001, year-to-date increase of 17%
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/VocusPR30/D...es&Cache=False
In November 2002, year-to-date decrease of 3%
And don't forget with the November 2003 year-to-date increase of 4%, it looks like Subaru might topple 2001 sales figures (which I believe was the highest selling year in Subaru history).
Last edited by Nick Koan; 12-27-2003 at 01:19 AM.
12-28-2003, 05:13 AM
#15
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by nKoan
I don't think we have to worry about the General taking ironfisted control of Subaru any time soon (like Saab recently). Subaru is profitable, and there is no need for GM to come in and screw things up. GM only own 20% of FHI, and the final word on any decision still rests on Subaru and FHI execs.
GM probably just pitched in a little money to help get them a spot at NAIAS
I don't think we have to worry about the General taking ironfisted control of Subaru any time soon (like Saab recently). Subaru is profitable, and there is no need for GM to come in and screw things up. GM only own 20% of FHI, and the final word on any decision still rests on Subaru and FHI execs.
GM probably just pitched in a little money to help get them a spot at NAIAS
All I'm saying is that they have more control than they are letting on. And what of the reports of the new Subaru Minivan and SUV? Do yu think that GM will just hand over piles of cash for Subaru to engineer two new platforms? Not a chance, those will be GM universal platforms that underpin Chevys, Pontiacs, Buicks, Saturns, and others.
It took a while for GM to take a "quirky", well performing Swedish car company to turn it into a watered down, platform sharing, lousy selling division. I fear for the future of this "quirky" well performing Japanese car company.