Subaru passes 20 million all-wheel-drive vehicles produced

Subaru is celebrating a special milestone in its history, surpassing 20 million cars being produced with all-wheel-drive drivetrains since its first all-paw car came out in 1972.

The Leone 4WD Estate was the first mass-produced Japanese car to feature all-wheel-drive and one of the first passenger vehicles in the world to adopt the system, becoming the genesis of Subaru's long-held reliance on the drivetrain across its model range.

From the time the first Leone 4WD came off the production line in September 1972 until now, all-wheel-drive vehicles have made up for 98 per cent of Subaru's sales worldwide, all mated with the iconic flat-four 'boxer' engine.

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The Leone 4WD Estate was Subaru's first ever mass-produced all-wheel-drive vehicle

Australia got its first taste of Subaru's all-wheel-drive when the Leone AWD arrived in 1975, though it was the Brumby ute's success which really kick-started the brand locally after its arrival in 1978.

From 1998 onwards, Subaru committed to selling only all-wheel-drive cars in Australia – breaking tradition with the joint venture Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 – a decision current General Manager, Blair Read, says was justified given local driving conditions.

"A key factor for Subaru AWD popularity in Australia is the volume of dirt roads, once you get not far beyond metro areas," said Read.

"It’s no coincidence Subarus over-index in places like Tasmania, because the sheer grip of AWD is a massive peace-of-mind factor for those hitting the dirt every day.

"Equally, the safety and sense of security of Subaru AWD around town is a critical ingredient in our city success – just ask anyone driving a Subie on a rainy day.

"Generations of Subaru engineers in Japan have honed AWD to a heightened level of competency."

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With the Brumby's arrival in 1978, Subaru cracked into the Australian market and found success locally

Subaru Australia 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 also reached an important milestone in the back end of 2020, selling over 10,000 units officially since it was first officially imported in 1999.

With 20,093 cars sold year-to-date, Subaru is currently the ninth-highest selling automotive brand in Australia, with the charge led by its Forester compact SUV (7086 sales) and the resurgent sixth-generation Outback lifted wagon (4820 sales).

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Subaru's Impreza WRX and WRX STi found its way into Australian hearts by offering high performance for a low price, winning the MOTOR 'Bang for Your Buck' award five times