Subaru B9 Tribeca on 2040-cars

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How new car shortages may impact your buying experience

If you want further proof that the auto industry is bouncing back, look no further than the empty lots and forecourts of your local dealership. According to a story by The Wall Street Journal, continued high demand for mainstream cars is overtaxing automakers' ability to produce enough models. Several dealers interviewed for the story are reporting two-week supplies as opposed to the typical two-month allocations.
With sales expected to hit 1.4 million units when August numbers arrive shortly and incentive spending down to its lowest amount since January, these limited supplies are pushing prices even higher. For example, according to the WSJ, the average price of a Ford Fusion is up past $26,000. Unfortunately, it's difficult for manufacturers to increase production quickly. If it invests in its facilities, as many manufacturers have done, it risks wasting cash if growth suddenly slows. At the same time, the momentum gained over the past several years could be short lived if vehicle supplies continue to dwindle. "Manufacturers are in a precarious situation," notes Karl Brauer, a senior director at Kelley Blue Book.
Low interest rates and a wealth of desirable features are also allowing customers to purchase more expensive vehicles while justifying their higher overall price tags, a situation that is compounding supply shortages. Even now, during the annual end-of-summer clearance season, deals on new vehicles are remarkably difficult to come by. According to the report, the Toyota Corolla is in a self-inflicted state of shortage, as Toyota clears out inventory in anticipation of the new 2014 generation arriving in dealers. Ford's supplies should rebound as Fusion production comes on line at its Flat Rock, Michigan factory. The Chevrolet Impala, Honda Odyssey, Civic, and Accord and Subaru Forester are also facing shortages.

Driving the Ford Explorer ST and Volvo V60 Cross Country | Autoblog Podcast #613

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by West Coast Editor James Riswick. First they talk about driving the Volvo V60 Cross Country and Ford Explorer ST, with some thoughts about the Subaru Outback and Super Bowl commercials as well. Then they dive into the mailbag, answering questions and following up on the outcomes of previous "Spend My Money" segments. Finally they wrap things off with a new "Spend My Money," in which they help a listener pick a new car that will accommodate a new, tiny family member without sucking all the fun out of driving. Autoblog Podcast #613 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars We're Driving: 2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country 2020 Ford Explorer ST 2020 Subaru Outback Super Bowl ads Mail bag Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Subaru teases Impreza sedan concept for LA

When the doors open at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, Subaru will be on hand to preview its upcoming Impreza. But before it does, it's giving us an idea of what to expect. Although we can only see so much of it from the teaser image above, the Impreza Sedan Concept pictured here for the first time looks similar to the Impreza 5-Door Concept we saw in Tokyo mere days ago. It seems to bear the same headlights and the same sculpted flank as the hatchback show car. Only as you might have discerned by now, it has a trunk instead of a tailgate. And instead of that blueish-silver, this one's done up in metallic red. For more than that, we'll have to wait. And it's entirely possible that even when it does arrive, Subaru won't tell us much about the technical specifications. Many of these concepts don't actually have engines, after all, When the new Impreza does reach production, it will in all likelihood feature a boxer four engine and all-wheel drive. Subaru to Debut "Impreza Sedan Concept" at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show Tokyo, November 10, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the "Impreza Sedan Concept" will make its world debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show (Press day: November 17 – 19 / Open to the public: November 20 – 29, 2015). The Impreza Sedan Concept will be unveiled at the press briefing scheduled for 2:35 PM PST on November 18 at Subaru booth following a speech by FHI President & CEO, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga. The special site opens today on the Subaru Global Site. http://www.subaru-global.com/2015la.html The site will feature information updates relating to the Los Angeles Auto Show including Subaru's press conference. Related Video: