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Subaru All-Wheel Drive Production Surpasses 15 Million

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The 2016 Subaru Outback, equipped with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

The 2016 Subaru Outback, equipped with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

March 1st marked an important date for Subaru. The Japanese automaker announced that it had finally reached a major production milestone: Subaru all-wheel drive production has at last hit 15 million. This year marks the 44th year for production of Subaru’s all-wheel drive. Production first began back in September of 1972 via the Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van. From there, all-wheel drive has expanded to become a core component of most Subaru vehicles.

Today in the United States, the majority of Subaru’s lineup is equipped with its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. In fact, the only vehicle in Subaru’s lineup not equipped with all-wheel drive is the Subaru BRZ, which accounts for only a small portion of sales in the US. (In February, Subaru moved just 425 units of the BRZ off dealership lots, which is just over 1% of all Subaru vehicles sold in the US last month.)

Last year, models built on all-wheel drive platforms accounts for 98% of Subaru’s global sales. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is one of the unique aspects of the niche brand that sets it apart. The all-wheel drive system is fitted with Subaru’s horizontally-opposed BOXER engine and gives drivers remarkable stability and traction behind the wheel. This, according to Subaru, allows for “excellent performance such as stability at high speeds and brisk cornering.”

Subaru models equipped with all-wheel drive here in the United States include the 2016 Forester, 2016 Outback, 2016 Legacy, 2016 Crosstrek, 2016 WRX, and 2016 Impreza.

For more on Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, visit www.subaru.com/engineering/design.html.