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Subaru, Mazda profits dip; both blame exchange rates

While some larger automakers took a beating on Q4 earnings, some of Japan's smaller operations managed to keep their heads just above water despite currency issues and slumping sales industry-wide. Subaru, which capped off its 11th consecutive year of U.S. sales increases, reported a 42-percent drop in operating profit in the final quarter of 2019; Mazda, which operates on an even smaller scale, saw a 76-percent drop.  Per Automotive News, both companies faced challenges apart from navigating currency exchanges.  Subaru Subaru's 2019 was marred by warranty costs stemming from repairs on high-volume models, including the Impreza and Crosstrek. Despite the drop in profit, company revenues only slid 2.3 percent. The company also says that it has managed to curtail incentive spending, largely thanks to replacement models that needed less help moving out of showrooms.  America remained a bright spot, with 2019 sales volumes increasing by nearly 3 percent over 2018. Subaru is hoping that figure will increase to 4.0 percent in 2020. Subaru's wholesale deliveries also increased in western Europe, but dropped precipitously (28 percent) in the company's home market.  Mazda The smaller Mazda faced similar challenges, but its 2019 lacked some of Subaru's more dramatic bright spots. Worldwide shipments of new vehicles dropped by 8 percent, aiding a revenue decline of 5 percent. Mazda's vehicles remained profitable on a per-unit basis, but only just.  Mazda has been undergoing aggressive cost-cutting measures, but even those were no match for reduced volumes and unattractive currency exchange rates.  Despite these challenges, both companies are keeping their earnings outlooks unchanged. The fourth quarter of 2019 represented the third quarter in both companies' fiscal years, which will end in March.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2020 Subaru WRX STI S209 | POV Drive

Nissan exec Andy Palmer derides Toyobaru coupes as 'midlife crisis' cars

Andy Palmer, Nissan's executive vice president, does not like the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ. To us, that's like saying you enjoy barbecuing puppies, but we'll let him slide, because his statements about the Toyobaru twins are much, much more than just idle trash talk.
Speaking to Motor Trend's Nate Martinez, Palmer said, "Do we have any competitors [in the small, rear-drive coupe segment]? Are you talking about the Subaru [BRZ]? It was a car designed for a 50-year-old. It's for a midlife crisis. That's not what we do." Strong words, but what followed was even better.
"Are you coming to the Tokyo Motor Show? You'll see the answer to the midlife crisis. Except it won't be for the midlife crisis." So, if you were wondering whether Nissan is working on a competitor to the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, the answer seems to be a resounding "yes."

2019 Subaru Impreza price goes up by $100

The 2019 Subaru Impreza is going to cost you an extra Benjamin. Pricing was announced for both the Impreza Sedan and 5-door hatchback model, which were redesigned for the 2017 model year. The base 2.0i sedan with a five-speed manual transmission starts at $19,480, including destination, while the comparable 5-door is a bit more at $19,980. Opting for the CVT costs an extra $1,000. These prices are up $100 from 2018. A marginal uptick in cost isn't the only update for the 2019 Impreza, however. The base model can now be equipped with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite for a perfectly reasonable $845 given that it comes with adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning and lane keeping. EyeSight is also now standard on the Impreza Limited trim. Note, though, that EyeSight is still unavailable with manual transmission-equipped Imprezas. The range-topping Limited trim also comes standard with a pair of new safety features: reverse automatic braking and automatic high beams. The Impreza Premium trim now comes standard with an upgraded Subaru Starlink 6.5-inch touchscreen that includes HD and satellite radios, two USB ports for rear passengers and a CD player (yay, save the CD's!). Black alloy wheels are also now included on the Premium. Finally, the Impreza Sport gains an STI short-throw shifter when, quite obviously, it's equipped with the manual. The full pricing breakdown, all including destination can be found below. The 2019 Subaru Impreza arrives in dealers "this summer," which we can only assume means if it's not on dealer lots already, it will be very soon. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2019 Subaru Impreza Image Credit: Subaru Subaru Hatchback Sedan eyesight