'Impreza' expected to boost Subaru's sales

The new Impreza which now comes in hatchback form, as opposed to sedan form previously, is sleeker and more modern looking when compared to the outgoing model which got heavy criticism due to its uninspiring design.

"The new Impreza will definitely boost our sales. In Singapore, 100 units of the model were sold on the first day of the cars launch. In Thailand, within the next one and a half months before the end of this year we expect to sell 50 units. At the upcoming Motor Expo we will have on display the Impreza 1.5R and the 2.5 WRX versions," said Glen Tan, Group Chief Executive of Motor Image.

Total sales of Subaru in 2006 was 65 units. This year, with the help of the new Impreza and the new showroom, sales are expected at 150 units, a 130 percentage growth from last year. In 2008 however the company hopes to reach sales figure of 300400 units with the launch of five new showrooms in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Khon Ken, Phuket and Nakhorn Sawan. All showrooms will come with a service centre and spare parts centre.

- The Nation

Vijo Varghese