The All New 2013 Subaru Legacy SPORT!

I am pleased to announce the mid-year introduction of the new 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SPORT!  This mid-model year addition offers an attractive upgrade in appearance and value to the Legacy 2.5i Premium.

The Legacy 2.5i SPORT equipment includes larger 18" alloy wheels with a unique design, 225/45 R18 V rated all season tires, the all weather package, aluminum alloy pedal covers, fog lights with chrome trim rings, power moonroof, carbon fiber patterned interior trim, and black cloth upholstery with a distinctive silver stitching.

The Legacy 2.5i SPORT has a total retail value of $25,345.  There is a special package discount of $550 that results in a net MSRP of only $24,795!  This is only $505 more than a Legacy 2.5i Premium with the all weather package and power moonroof, providing an outstanding value and performance package.

Please see the 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SPORT at Premier Subaru in Branford, Connecticut today.

It is time to get back to the blog.  For some odd reason, I stopped publishing to this blog. Well, motivation from the recent AutoCon 2012 inspired me to start again.  I have altered the blog, now that we have a new KIA store as a part of our group, and will continue to publish information that I believe will be important to our clients and stakeholders at large.

This business has been changing at the speed of light.  More changes over the last two years than I have seen in the previous 10.  Tons of new technology and, more importantly, customers that have access to all of the information needed to make an educated decision - that is a good thing!

Subaru Models Awarded Four "Top Picks" from Kiplinger's Personal Finance

We are proud to announce that, Kiplinger's Personal Finance recognized three Subaru vehicles for excellence in four areas:

• The Forester 2.5XT Premium AWD was designated "best in class" for small crossovers
• The Outback 2.5 Limited won "best in class" and "best resale" in the wagons category
• The Impreza WRX AWD four door was named "best resale" in the $25,000 to $30,000 category.

Kiplinger's evaluates "best in class" winners on performance, value and safety.  "Best resale" winners were selected using the Kelley Blue Book's estimated trade in price.

Kiplinger's notes that the Forester - also recognized by the publication in 2009 as the "best new crossover" - boasts "agile handling, high resale values and loads of cargo space."  The Forester, like all other Subaru models, is also a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

2011 is the second year the the Outback was awarded "best in class".  In addition to "stylish design, strong resale values and heaps of utility", the publication calls the 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine "powerful without pushing down fuel economy".

Kiplinger's also explains that the "turbocharged version of the Impreza boosts the three year resale value from the base models 51% to 55% - and bumps up horsepower by 95 horses to 265 horses.  That's a feat a few in this category can achieve with only four cylinders."

Premier Subaru encourages you to see the entire line of the award winning Subaru models at it's dealership located at 150 North Main Street, Route 1 (I-95, exit 54) in Branford, Connecticut.  The company's dealership is located within 12 minutes of Milford, Connecticut and Wallingford, Connecticut.  In addition, the company is convenienly located proximate to New Haven, Bridgeport and other major metropolitan areas in Connecticut.  You can see more about the company at http://www.premiersubaru.com/.  Or, text the word PREMIER to 50123 for information delivered to your SmartPhone.

Premier Subaru Customers Responsible For More Than $25,000 In Donations During The Subaru Of America "Share The Love" Campaign

Branford, Connecticut - January 3, 2011 - Premier Subaru, in Branford, Connecticut, is proud to announce that it's customers have been responsible for more than $25,000 in donations during the Subaru of America "Share the Love" Campaign which ran from November 20, 2010 to January 3, 2011.

The Subaru of America "Share the Love" Campaign allowed Subaru new vehicle customers to select from five charities to receive a $250 donation from Subaru of America, following the vehicle purchase or lease.

Over the last two years the program had donated nearly $10 milion to its partner organizations.  Once counted, the 2011 contributions are expected to bring that total up to $15 million.  The five charities that participated in the program this year are: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels Association of America, and Ocean Conservancy.

Based on research that shows Subaru buyers have a strong affinity toward charitable donations to worthy causes, the campaign has been developed by the company's brand agency, Carmichael Lynch, to allign that affinity to their vehicle purchase.

"We wanted to create a program that not only stands out from the crowd, but is also relevant to our customer's value systems - they of giving back to the community" said Robert J. Alvine from Premier Subaru in Branford, Connecticut.  "As you can see by the activity in our showrooms over the last 40 days, we also reflect our customer's values in doing the right thing".

In addition to the contributions through the Subaru of America program, Premier Subaru also supported the Toys for Tots program, the Thanksgiving Food Basket Initiative undertaken by Christian Community Action and donated toys to the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven, Connecticut.

Automotive Lease Guide Ranks Subaru #1!

The following is "as reported" in Automotive News!

Subaru has risen to the top of two rankings that predict future residual values!

ALG, formerly the Automotive Lease Guide, predicts 2011 Subaru cars and trucks will hold an average of 53.2% of their sticker price after 36 months, the highest score of any brand.  Forcasting out to 60 months, Kelley Blue Book predicts Subaru vehicles will retain 39.0% of their value, the highest score for any brand with at least four nameplates!

Kelley Blue Book cited Subaru for successfully aligning production with demand, keeping lease levels low and producing high-quality, well designed vehicles.

Subaru Debuts Impreza Design Concept at Los Angeles Auto Show

Subaru of America, Inc. today unveiled the Impreza Design Concept, which previews the carmaker's new "Confidence in Motion" design and brand strategy. The Impreza Design Concept will remain on display throughout the show, which runs November 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Impreza has been Subaru's global compact car since 1992

Built to express possible future Subaru design elements, the Impreza Design Concept conveys a sporty and lively "four-door coupe" style. The Impreza Concept combines environmental compatibility and comfortable ride of the Impreza with the trusted performance that Subaru's Symmetrical All Wheel Drive provides. The designers blended two ideas – "dynamic flow and confident stance" – to showcase Subaru's engineering core values of dynamic performance, safety, driving enjoyment and quality. The Impreza Design Concept features a roomy four-passenger interior.


From the front, the Impreza Design Concept is clearly recognizable as a Subaru, with a hexagonal grille with spread wings in the center and hawk eye-style headlights. At the same time, the front view previews a new direction for the brand's design, with the hood, grille and headlights designed to project three-dimensional character.

Fin-shaped fog lamps, which follow the wing motif, emphasize a fresh expression of Subaru identity. The car's low-and-wide stance is meant to convey reliability, security, and safety. The design of the prominent wheel arches echo that message while also emphasizing the vehicle's All-Wheel Drive technology. The new-generation Legacy debuted this design feature.

In profile, the Impreza Design Concept shows a sleek, continuous line from the A-pillar, along the roof and through the C-pillar. The design yields both a roomy cabin and excellent aerodynamic performance. Subaru designers applied simple and clean lines and surfaces rather than complicated forms. This produces a contrast with the powerful fender design and results in a lean side view, accented by satin silver window frames. The wedge-shaped side rear-view cameras sit along the sharp line of the A-pillar.

At the rear, the hexagonal theme repeats with a garnish that radiates outward from the center. The rear lights also follow a sharp-edged theme, and are stretched into the body sides to join the character line along the car's flanks. The taillamp design features a unique layering and gradation to create the impression of depth.

The front and rear bumper corners, shaped in the wind tunnel, contribute to the car's overall aerodynamic efficiency. Diffusers on the underside of the rear bumper and the rear deck emphasize sportiness and also do their part for aerodynamics, contributing to vehicle fuel efficiency. The Sky Silver exterior color underscores the Impreza Design Concept's stylish and dynamic silhouette, and suggests a silver tone to be used on the next generation of Subaru vehicles. The high-luster silver aluminum wheels, with their five-twin-spoke design, convey vehicle lightness and agility. Carbon fins garnish the spokes, aiding brake cooling.

"Dynamic, Enticing, Secure" Interior

For the Impreza Design Concept's interior, the designers followed a theme of "Dynamic, Enticing, Secure." The smooth integration of the instrument panel with the door trim and armrests suggests sporty yet comfortable driving. The roomy platinum-leather four-seat layout envelops occupants. Dark blue piping and double stitching accent the leather. A "layered" approach to color, with the upper part light platinum and the lower part a shade darker, gives the interior a feeling of spaciousness and sophistication.

A large display in the center dash combines functions for navigation, vehicle information and audio. The touch panel technology provides ease of use, seamlessly melding information and entertainment features.

The platinum leather-wrapped steering wheel features D-shaped spokes set off by piano-black center sections. The wheel innovatively incorporates its own touch panels, giving the driver easy access to various vehicle functions.

New Safety and Performance

Subaru's own advanced driving-assist EyeSight system is installed along the front edge of the roof. The images the camera takes can be viewed on a monitor in the center of the gauge cluster, positioned for easy visibility. EyeSight is also networked with the latest in collision-prevention technology, underscoring the safety that customers expect from Subaru.

The combination of the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Boxer engine with a Lineartronic™ Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) represents Subaru's next-generation powertrain. A 2.5-liter version of this engine powers the 2011 Forester

Watch out for those "Lifetime Warranties"

The following is an article pertaining to "lifetime warranties". As a dealer, we were approached a year ago by a company that offered such a warranty for vehicles. When they completed their presentation, they spoke about what a great "marketing tool" it was and, "how much more money we can make by offering it". But, frankly, it concerned me. The company that was offering the warranty was barely 3 years old. Additionally, the claimed to be "backed by" an insurance company. Unfortunately, when researched by our lawyers, it was determined that the insurance was "precarious" to say the least. We have prided ourselves in offering at least $1.00 of value for every $1.00 a customer is charged. This model, as well as our ongoing model of working to always "exceed a customers expectations", precluded me from thinking about such a warranty. After all, it is not the sale I am concerned about...It is when the customer approaches us with a problem many miles down the road. A little research will evidence many warranty companies that have gone out of business - taking the promise of a warranty - as well as the customer's money - down the drain. We are in this business for the long haul. We pride ourselves on our A+ BBB Rating. We pride ourselves on our AAA Approval for service and we pride ourselves on over 10 years of customer satisfaction awards in both sales and service.

Ultimately, we found in our research that most companies that do offer some sort of lifetime warranty are not exemplary corporate citizens and have failing customer satisfaction grades, or BBB reports. They chose to offer this warranty to compensate for failures in their own operations. Not the ones, such as Sears, or LL Bean, but the many others along the way.

Now, this is my opinion only, but, I would encourage you to research this point.

At long last, here is the article:

Lifetime Warranties Not Always A Guarantee
Consumers Urged To Read Fine Print Carefully

Posted: 8:20 pm CST February 5, 2010

MADISON, Wis. -- Many people might think a lifetime warranty will protect against product failure as long as they live, but there are some gray areas when it comes to certain warranties.

There is no single legal definition of "lifetime warranty," and that could cause issues for consumers trying to collect on the promise.

When Don Roane's Craftsman ratchet broke, the Sears clerk made good on its lifetime warranty.

"He went and got me a replacement without any question," Roane said.

But that's not always the case, according to Consumer Reports.

Nicole Van Scoten and her fiancé said when they bought their used car, the limited lifetime warranty was the deciding factor. Six months later the transmission blew, but their $7,000 claim was denied.

"We were really angry that they would not honor this warranty," Van Scoten said.

The warranty lists many things that are not covered, including, "damage or failures resulting … from … alteration."

The original owner had made some changes to the car. But the couple said the sales team assured them those changes wouldn't affect the warranty -- something the dealership denies.

"You should never depend on spoken assurances. You have to read that fine print carefully. And don't assume that lifetime necessarily means your lifetime; it may simply mean the expected lifetime of the product," said Greg Daugherty, Consumer Reports money advisor.

And when a warranty says "limited lifetime warranty," it means limited. A piece of furniture, for instance, might be under warranty only for the original purchaser, so the warranty would be void if the furniture is resold.

As for paint, many carry a limited lifetime warranty, but only for the paint itself -- not the much bigger cost of repainting.

One treadmill model has a frame and motor that are covered under a limited lifetime warranty, too. But if a repair is needed, the warranty "does not include … freight charges," and that can get expensive.

The key is to read any lifetime warranty carefully and get oral assurances in writing -- something Van Scoten and her fiancé learned the hard way.

For more information on possible warranty issues, people can check out the Web site consumerist.org, which gets a lot of complaints from consumers about lifetime warranties and follows up on them.

We Did It Twice! AMAZING!

Subaru Outback Named MOTOR TREND's 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year®
- Subaru First Automaker with two consecutive MOTOR TREND Sport/Utility of the Year Titles -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the Subaru Outback has been named MOTOR TREND's 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year.

The Subaru Outback's victory follows the Subaru Forester's win for the 2009 award, making Subaru the first automaker to win two consecutive MOTOR TREND Sport/Utility of the Year awards.

MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief, Angus MacKenzie, said, "The 2010 Subaru Outback offers a unique combination of comfort, efficiency, versatility and value. It boasts car-like refinement, drivability and gas mileage on the road, yet is as capable in the rough stuff as all but the most off-road focused sport utilities. Thoughtfully engineered, cleverly detailed and competitively priced, the Subaru Outback is a terrific all-rounder with broad appeal."

"We are doubly proud and honored to receive the MOTOR TREND 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year award for the second consecutive year," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America Inc. "To win the 2009 award for the Forester was wonderful enough, but to have won for the 2010 Outback this year is truly an outstanding achievement. The Subaru Outback is an icon of performance and capability and was the original SUV alternative. Now with its improved power, economy and increased dimensions it is the complete package."

Speaking to Subaru of America's sales success as the top performing automaker of 2009, Doll noted, "The success of our business is founded not only on our outstanding products, but also on the commitment and dedication of our retail sales network and great sales and marketing programs. We are absolutely thrilled that MOTOR TREND has added their validation to the Subaru brand."

Priced from $22,995, and produced at Subaru's zero-landfill plant in Lafayette, Indiana, the all-new Subaru Outback is available with either a 170-hp 2.5-liter four cylinder boxer engine or a 256-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. The 2010 Outback is built on an all-new platform featuring a 2.8-inch longer wheelbase (now 107.9 inches) that improves ride and interior space, especially rear seat legroom. The 2010 Outback also features increased hip and shoulder room.
Living up to Subaru's legendary safety record, the Outback offers cutting-edge safety technology, including Subaru's ring reinforcement safety system, front, seat-mounted side, and side-curtain airbags and ABS. Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system, which incorporates stability and traction control systems with a roll-over sensor, is also standard equipment.

The Subaru Outback was recently named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

To judge contenders for the award, MOTOR TREND's editorial staff conducted an exhaustive three-phase testing process. Phase one of the process includes a full tech check and weigh-in, then full track testing to establish baseline data for acceleration, braking, and handling. Phase two involves three days of road loops offering a range of road surfaces and traffic conditions to evaluate ride and handling, engine and transmission smoothness and responsiveness, wind and road noise, and ergonomics. A dirt-track section tests traction, stability, and braking control systems. In phase three the judges debate and deliberate. This year, the editors updated and expanded the judging criteria to six new categories:

Design Advancement - well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; good selection and use of materials.

Engineering Excellence - total vehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective tech that benefits the consumer.
Intended Function - how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended it to do.

Efficiency - low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive set.
Safety - a vehicle's ability to help the driver avoid a crash, as well as the secondary safety measures that protect its occupants from harm during a crash.

Value - competitive price and equipment levels, measured against those of vehicles in the same market segment.

MOTOR TREND's Sport/Utility of the Year is not a comparison test and is only open to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles that have gone on sale in the 12 months from November 1 of the previous year. MOTOR TREND looks for the pick of each year's crop of new SUV's, and does not revisit vehicles that have been on sale for the past few years.

PREMIER SUBARU WILL BE A CERTIFIED DEALER FOR THE CASH FOR CLUNKERS PROGRAM!

PREMIER SUBARU ANNOUNCES THAT WE WILL BE A CERTIFIED DEALER UNDER THE CASH FOR CLUNKERS PROGRAM.

While Cash For Clunkers has been signed into law, the Department of Transportation has another three weeks to formulate the regulations for the law. Please stay tuned as we will be the first to provide you this information as we receive it.

Premier Subaru is also asking that consumers watch out for scams, as already, criminals and some unscrupulous car dealers are using it to dupe consumers. CNN Money reports that some "cash for clunkers" web sites are asking consumers to provide personal information, including names, addresses and social security numbers, so that they can "register" for the program. Other web sites tell car shoppers they will put them in touch with authorized "Cash for Clunkers" dealers in their area. Car dealers will have to register to participate in the program (Premier Subaru is doing so). Currently, the NHTSA hasn't even determined how the registration process will work. There will be NO NEED for consumers to register at all. Once clue that the websites are not real is that they use the name "Cash for Clunkers". That is NOT the real name of the program. The program is known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). NHTSA has set up an official website at www.cars.gov to provide information on the program.

Stay tuned to this blog as we will post updates as we receive them.

CLASS LEADING FUEL ECONOMY BY THE 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK! WOW!

Subaru of America, Inc. Announces EPA Figures for 2010 Outback

- Subaru Outback Wagon Achieves 29 mpg Hwy -

- Offers Better Fuel Economy Than Many Front-Wheel Drive Competitors -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 29 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the EPA fuel economy results for the all-new 2010MY Outback. The 2010 All-Wheel Drive Subaru Outback achieves up to 24 mpg combined and 29 mpg highway, even while interior volume is up over 7-percent.

Specifically the Outback 2.5i CVT now exhibits better fuel economy (EPA combined) than such competitors as the Toyota Venza, Volvo XC70, VW Passat, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer.

The 2010 Subaru Outback now scores better on EPA fuel economy than the much smaller Suzuki SX-4 AWD and has significantly more power coming from its 170HP 2.5L 4-cylinder Boxer engine.

"The all-new 2010 Subaru Outback combines great on- and off-road capability, comfortable space, incredible cargo carrying ability and fuel economy all for a great price," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO of Subaru of America, Inc. "We think this new Outback will really raise the bar in the crossover segment."

With its unique Boxer engine, segment-leading 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and fold-away roof rack crossbars, the all-new Subaru Outback has an entry-level price of $22,995 (excluding destination and delivery). The Outback provides an alternative for customers looking for more room than a midsize sedan and features the off-road capabilities of an SUV, with the fuel economy of a small car.