Sales

SUBARU: Ascent keeps streak alive

Subaru's total U.S. sales rose 3.5 percent to 57,044 vehicles. (DAVID PHILLIPS)
October 02, 2018 05:00 AM

Subaru of America, coming off its best-ever sales month in August, overcame declines by six of its eight nameplates in September with increased momentum for the new Ascent crossover.

Subaru's total U.S. sales rose 3.5 percent to 57,044 vehicles.

The automaker sold 5,859 Ascents in September, the fourth month the large crossover has been on sale. The Forester, the only carryover nameplate to post a year-over-year gain, was Subaru's best-seller in September, with sales totaling 13,453 units.

September marked the second monthly decline in a row for the Crosstrek, with sales down 0.9 percent to 12,376 units.

Subaru's September increase of 1,924 units extended the automaker's streak of consecutive year-over-year U.S. monthly sales gains to 82 months.

Notable nameplates: Outback down 21%, Forester up 1.4% , Crosstrek down 0.9%, Impreza down 2.2%, WRX/WRX STI down 5.1%, Legacy down 7.5%, BRZ down 5.6%.

Incentives: $1,548 per vehicle, up 44% from a year earlier, ALG says.

Average transaction price: $29,199, up 3.8% from a year earlier, according to ALG.

Quote: "The all-new 2019 Forester is just arriving at our retailers and is better in almost every way," Jeff Walters, Subaru of America senior vice president of sales, said in a statement. "Along with the Ascent, Crosstrek, and Outback, these SUVs will carry our record sales pace into the final quarter of this year."

Did you know? The Outback's decline of 21% was the largest drop of the year for the nameplate, and its U.S. sales of 12,895 units marked the lowest monthly total so far in 2018.

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