Subaru Predicts Record U.S. Sales This Year

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. expects its Subaru unit to reach its midterm goal of selling a record 350,000 vehicles in the U.S. during the current fiscal year two years ahead of schedule, The Nikkei reports.

The achievement would not be shocking. Subaru delivered a record 348,400 vehicles in the U.S. its biggest market in the fiscal year ended March 31, up from 280,100 units in the previous 12-month period. The brand's American sales jumped 25% to 32,900 vehicles in April.

CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga tells the Japanese newspaper that the brand is "within striking distance" of selling 400,000 vehicles in the U.S. He credits growing demand for the Subaru Forester midsize crossover and Impreza compact sedan and hatchback in the southern and western states, where the brand's share has historically been low.