Subaru celebrates selling 150,000th Outback in Australia

Subaru has now sold 150,000 of its Outback lifted wagon Down Under, 25 years after the model first went on sale here.

Earlier this year, Subaru launched the sixth generation Outback for the Australian market, with a choice of three variants, marking a quarter of a century since it arrived on our shores in 1996.

Last month the brand reached the milestone as it shifted 3232 units across its range, 611 of which were Outbacks, securing it 8th place in the monthly sales chart and 10th year-to-date.

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2021 Subaru Outback variants

During August, Subaru’s sales increased by 57.5 per cent for the month, compared to a COVID-hit 2020. Meanwhile the carmaker’s year-on-year sales are up 29.3 per cent.

August’s success was led by the Japanese marque’s Forester SUV, with 1104 sales up 55.1 per cent for the month.

Meanwhile, the number of XVs sold totalled 951, up 76.4 per cent for the month.

Following just behind, the Outback achieved 611 sales, which rose 100.3 per cent for the month and 96.4 per cent year-to-date.

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1997 Subaru Outback

Blair Read, General Manager Subaru Australia, said: "We couldn't be prouder to celebrate the 150,000th Outback sale during August, a vehicle that has resonated deeply with Australians for generations.

"It is fitting we celebrate this remarkable milestone in the year we launch the sixth generation, all-new Subaru Outback that not only epitomises all the qualities that have made it famous, but elevates its appeal with enhanced technology, refinement and crossover ability."

The 150,000th Outback sold follows other major milestones for Subaru – having announced in July it had sold 20 million AWD cars worldwide since the Leone 4WD Estate launched in 1972, arriving on Aussie soil three years later.

Subaru Australia also recently celebrated surpassing 50,000 sales of its WRX-badged cars Down Under since the model's arrival in 1994, with the original pocket rocket having previously won five MOTOR 'Bang for Your Buck' awards.

The WRX STi too reached an important milestone in the back end of 2020, selling over 10,000 units since it was first officially imported in 1999.

It’s not all good news for the brand though, last week it was revealed Subaru has suspended all production at its Japanese factories, citing issues with the supply of semi-conductors.

While Subaru has provided few details about the four-day shut down, it’s understood the plant closures are related to the ongoing global chip shortage.