2009 Subaru Forester Xt Premium Awd Turbo on 2040-cars

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Subaru profit climbs 48% on strong crossover sales in first quarter

TOKYO — Subaru reported a 48% increase in first-quarter operating profit on Monday as global sales grew, led by demand for the Ascent and Forester SUVs in the United States. The smallest of Japan's major automakers posted an operating income of 92.2 billion yen ($870 million) for April-June, versus 62.1 billion yen a year earlier and an average estimate of 65.6 billion yen from eight analysts polled by Refinitiv. Sales in the United States, by far Subaru's biggest market, rose 20%. It accounts for about 60% of Subaru's overall sales. The maker of Legacy sedans and Forester SUV crossovers maintained its forecast for operating income at 260 billion yen for the year to March 2020, up 45% from a year earlier. The previous fiscal year was marred by a string of recalls, production stoppages and inspection improprieties that cut the automaker's earnings in half. Subaru reiterated its annual forecast for global sales of 1.06 million vehicles. It also left unchanged its assumption that the yen will average 110 against the dollar over the course of the fiscal year, versus 111 last year. A stronger currency eats into profits because cars exported from Japan become more expensive and the value of earnings made overseas decreases.

Subaru Forester Luggage Test | Packing up our long-term family crossover

Our 2019 Subaru Forester long-term test car has been a pack rat for many of us on staff at Autoblog. We’ve stuffed in camping gear, tires, landscaping supplies and much more over a number of months. However, we havenÂ’t given it a proper luggage test until now. West Coast Editor James Riswick has tested a number of compact crossovers that the Forester competes against with his own set of luggage: Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. But since our long-term Forester lives in Michigan, weÂ’ll be using the same set of luggage that weÂ’ve used for all other midwest luggage tests. HereÂ’s what weÂ’re working with: Two carry-on suitcases sized (24 inches long, 15.5 wide, 10 deep); one carry-on suitcase (21.7L x 13.7W x 9 D); one medium-size suitcase you have to check (24.5L x 16.8W x 11.5D) and two larger, full-size suitcases (33.8L x 21.5W x 13D) and (28.1L x 18W x 10.5D). This generation of Forester and its more traditional crossover shape means it has a great deal of luggage capacity for its overall footprint. Sunroof-equipped models (like our Touring) come in at 33.0 cubic-feet of space behind the back seat. If you skip the sunroof, you gain 2.4 cubes, but the space at the top of the ceiling is generally pointless unless youÂ’re chill with zero rearward visibility. Our Touring model comes with a nice powered hatch that can be opened via the fob, interior button, exterior lid button or a kick motion under the bumper. The kicking is generally reliable, but has frustrated on occasion with a refusal to accept our kicks. The cargo cover that comes standard is a little tricky to operate and feels a little flimsy. Strangely, there are two pieces of fabric that must be pulled taut. The more standard, larger piece that covers most of the cargo area can be yanked forward and slot into a neat groove, but the piece on the other side of the roller must be delicately placed in a couple slots right near the rear seats. If youÂ’re too short, you might be forced to climb into the cargo hold to get it right. For the record, this piece exists because of the back seat's reclining functionality and ensure there isn't a gap between the upright seat and the cover. Now, letÂ’s chuck some suitcases in it. All three carry-on suitcases and the medium suitcase fit neatly tucked under the cargo cover. ThereÂ’s oodles of room in front of them, which ended up being plenty for the fancy bag (22L x 8.8W x 12D).

Daily Driver: Long-Term 2015 Subaru WRX

In successive weeks the middle west and eastern coast of our country were blanketed in snow. Thankfully for my fellow Michigan-based Autoblog editors and I, our long-term 2015 Subaru WRX was fitted with Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires before the first flake even fell. I stole the keys and ran out of the office was loaned the WRX for a week recently, and made good use of a sunny Saturday to take the car out for a proper, winding road drive. In the video you see here, I happened to have great weather and dry roads for the test, but rest assured that it had been snowy and gross up to that point. We're going to have lots more to say about our gold-footed 'Rex before we give it back, but in the meantime believe me when I say that the car is well-sorted for the worst that Winter '15 will throw at it.