Long-time Subaru Australia PR manager David Rowley retires

One of the local automotive industry's most respected figures is just weeks from retirement, as Subaru Australia announced David Rowley would depart the company later this month.

A doyen in the automotive media landscape, Rowley has spent the past 22 years at Subaru, having joined the brand as its public relations manager in January 2000 after a three-year stint at Honda.

Starting off as a journalist in his native England at the Yorkshire Evening Post in 1988, Rowley held positions at The Australian, Qantas and PR firm Macro, before moving across to the world of four wheels.

5

A 22-year tenure at Subaru Australia will close out David Rowley's career

Since joining Subaru, Rowley has been there for some of the brand's biggest moments in Australia, from surpassing 50,000 WRX sales locally, to its six Australian Rally Championship titles with Possum Bourne, Cody Crocker and Molly Taylor behind the wheel.

Subaru Australia's general manager, Blair Read, said the PR guru has been a significant part of the company locally.

"Dave has been instrumental in building the Subaru brand and cementing its reputation in the Australian market, including the successes in motorsport which it is still known for today," said Read.

"We are privileged to be able to continue on this journey with the strong foundations he has set in place, and are eternally grateful for Dave's significant contribution over the past two decades.

"We wish him all the very best and many wonderful adventures in his retirement."

5

Rowley's long service at Subaru has seen him present for the manufacturer's six Australian Rally Championship titles

The soon-to-be retired Rowley has reflected on his time at Subaru and within the industry, thanking those who had given him opportunities along the way.

"As a relatively late entrant into automotive in my mid-30s, I was fortunate that the Subaru chiefs back in the day, Trevor Amery and Nick Senior, were prepared to take a risk on someone with so little industry experience," said Rowley.

"It's been a privilege to work with the Subaru Blue Army over so long, and while the brand and product are fantastic, it's the spirit of the people working within the organisation that have fuelled my PR passion.

"Equally, I'm grateful to the many automotive media contacts whose interest in all things Subaru has kept me gainfully employed. The media landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with ever-increasing deadline demands – and multi-skilling across different platforms – making a hugely challenging environment.

"They have my admiration, as do my wonderful Subaru colleagues."

5

It takes a trusting man to consistently hand out high-performance cars and expect them back in one piece

Upon hearing of Rowley's retirement, a number of WhichCar staff wanted to pay tribute to the veteran PR chief, speaking of their experiences with the man who has been a constant in the industry.

"Here's a fella who will be truly missed," said publishing director, Mike Stevens.

"Much like some school teachers, there are grumpy and unreachable PRs out there who make you wonder how they thought a public and media-facing role was the career for them – but not Mr David Rowley. He'll always take your call, and always with the most refreshingly cheerful greeting.

"He's always been among the most helpful communications managers I've encountered, never dancing around a question – even when he can't give you the answer you're chasing.

"I've had the privilege of travelling with David a couple of times – I'll never forget being among the very first people in the world to see the BRZ (and thus the 86) – and on each trip, he was as much our beaming servant as our sage guide.

"I wish you all the best, mate, and I hope to see you around the traps. Enjoy your well-earned retirement!"

5

2017 was a bumper year for Subaru, breaking its sales record, led by the Forester

"Dave Rowley is one of the greats," said journalist Daniel Gardner.

"There are few PRs who operate with the same level of candid professionalism, while also maintaining a generous measure of good humour and fun.

"Media personalities and journalists can be a challenging breed and, to the best of my knowledge, Dave hasn't punched a single one in 22 years. This is a true testament to his good nature and enduring pleasant manner.

"Whether it be eating unidentifiable things on a boat on the Sumida River, or freezing our faces off in a forest waiting for a blue WRX to drive past too fast, I will miss working with Dave and thank him for always making me look better at my job than I really am."