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Not good news for Subaru UK either this, their sales are already down 3 fold on this time last year (according to Evo) and their new model has not really been much of a help either.
Their sales of Turbocharged Impreza models is down 3 fold - don't know the overall figure
Anyway - sad day - the reason I fell in love with subarus was hearing that flat four burble from the first legacies way back in early 90's.
whilst its a true shame, i can understand their decision.
For the 2010 season, the regulations are all being changed and Subaru don't have a car that would naturally fit into the new Super 2000 rules. Why bother spending all the money developing the turbo Impreza for 2009 if its redundant at the end of the year.
Subaru were the only manufacturer of roadgoing 4WD turbo cars has left in the WRC as well..... the sport has completely lost sight of where it started, where it all began.
was you going to pop down to FHI and offer the loan of your car???
hahahah
That's twice with the clever comments lately , what's rattled your cage?
The statement I made was I'm stuck at work and therefore having to rely on what was being published on the internet rather than the quicker reporting mediums of TV and radio.
It has now filtered onto the web and is confirmed.
whilst its a true shame, i can understand their decision.
For the 2010 season, the regulations are all being changed and Subaru don't have a car that would naturally fit into the new Super 2000 rules. Why bother spending all the money developing the turbo Impreza for 2009 if its redundant at the end of the year.
Subaru were the only manufacturer of roadgoing 4WD turbo cars has left in the WRC as well..... the sport has completely lost sight of where it started, where it all began.
The other issue is that WRC just doesn't look like it returns true value for money.
The costs are huge. When Subaru and Mitsubishi were going at it there was real competition from cars you were led to believe you could buy in a showroom - Escort Cosworth was a similar talisman.
Now it is simple Ford v Citroen in specially built motors that are not available through dealers. what is the point in beating them?
Mitsi have carried on with the EVO and done ok, setting low targets for sales and realising what they have. The reputation for performance is undiminished years after pulling out of WRC, not exactly going to spur Subaru on is it?
The series needs more manufacturers to be battling it out, it is quite simple. I can see the whole season being delayed at this rate.
Pulling out makes a lot of sense for Subaru. Performance has been really bad for years - it's a wonder they havn't pulled out before now - but at least they don't have to admit that - they can blame the economic situation!!
I expect that all other manufacturer teams will pull out now...........
Location: ***E*S*S*E*X*** Car: Black WRXSTi TypeUK
Posts: 16,845
Quote:
Originally Posted by bibo_boy
You might not have to give that up Fozzie
I know what you're saying mate, but I've been supporting SWRT for a while, not sure I could make the jump quite so quick.
What made the weekend extra special was driving the scoobs over there and driving through Trier with the crowds of supporters cheering and waving SWRT flags at us and stuff. Awesome experience!
WTF - how can sales be 'down 3 fold' down 1 fold would be zero FFS, 3 fold mean them paying to take cars back! Maths has gone right down the pan! For the record they are off 20% year to date, but off 60% for November (worst single monthly loss).
I can understand Subaru pulling out, no point being the slowest of the three teams competing is there, what hope for the WRC now with just 2 makes, one of who's comp car isn't even backed up by a sports road version.....
well have to say im not nega surprised, i notice prodrive have not mentiopned any redundancies etc so they knew it was comming.
the new super 2k rules just don't leave any room for the impreza imo.
wonder if theres gonna be a new rally champ set up away from the FIA with not many rules, tis the only way to lower development costs. building within strict rules means you have to sepnd alot more on little details, the more you spend on details the more a tiny gain costs you. so remove the rules and large gains become cheaper.
Location: South Wales in a 313bhp/303lbs UK Classic
Posts: 10,586
Prodrive's business has branched out in many directions this is just one arm of them, I went on a tour up there recently and was very surprised at what they do as a whole.
ITS A SAD DAY HERE AT PRODRIVE!!
JUST TO SAY THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS FROM ALL YOU LOYAL SUPPORTERS!
ITS JUST AS MUCH A SHOCK TO US ALL TOO!
WE WERE ONLY TOLD AT 9.00 AM THIS MORNING!
SIGNING OUT!
DUNK....
taken from the Prodrive website as i know the web traffic is V.V.High at the moment......
PRESS RELEASE
16/12/2008
Subaru to withdraw from World Rally Championship
Subaru has announced its decision to withdraw from the 2009 World Rally Championship.
This sudden decision was in response to the widespread economic downturn that is affecting the entire automotive industry, and follows Suzuki’s withdrawal announced yesterday.
After 20 years in the sport, during which time the Prodrive-run Subaru World Rally Team has won six World Rally Championship titles, this is not only sad news for Subaru and the team, but also for millions of rallying fans around the world. Thanks to its highly successful World Rally Championship programme, Subaru has developed into one of the world’s most widely recognised and evocative automotive brands.
Prodrive chairman, David Richards, said: “Subaru’s departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport’s icons. The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive’s history, our focus now turns to the future.”
For many, Prodrive and Subaru are synonymous, given the long-standing and close association between the two companies. However, while the Subaru World Rally Team historically represented a significant part of Prodrive’s business, today it accounts for no more than 20 per cent of the company’s turnover.
Prodrive will look to redeploy as many of the rally team as possible in other areas of its business operations, which have grown to span advanced engineering and manufacturing for the automotive, defence, marine and aerospace industries, in addition to other motorsport programmes.
Despite the current economic downturn, Prodrive’s automotive engineering business remains buoyant as it works with vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the development of next generation fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel technologies.
Together with Subaru, Prodrive’s commitment to its customer rally teams will also continue unabated for 2009 and beyond. Over the past 15 years, Prodrive has sold close to 500 rally cars to more than 400 private competitors and independent rally teams in 47 countries. During this time, Prodrive’s customers have won five consecutive Production World Rally Championships and countless international rallies. In 2008, Prodrive-supported customer teams have claimed eight rally championship titles around the world.
Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success.
They can't make a competive car any more.
The car they HAVE made is butt-ugly.
The car they HAVE made is no longer pack leader, but relies on aftermarket tuners to boost it's performance......and it's price.
They are no longer selling enough cars, either for the prestige, or the "sporting" looks.
Goodbye Subaru, 2009, or 2010, is my forecast. If not worldwide, then certainly from the UK market
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