Subaru ready to unleash the king of the jungle

Japanese auto-maker Subaru is ready to stimulate the SUV market in the second half of this year with the launch of the new Forester next month, Motor Image Subaru (Thailand) general manager Apichai Thammasirarak said. He said the new Forester will strengthen Subaru's image further in the Thai automobile market.

"In the last six months we have been highly successful with the launch of the new Impreza, with more than 100 orders being placed," Apichai said. "Part of this success is due to the new image of our product line-up.

"Meanwhile, we have been aggressive in our marketing and have been organising a large number of promotional activities such as customer test drives."

Apichai said Subaru's all-wheel drive (AWD) driving school has been well accepted,  giving potential customers a chance to know Subaru cars and how they perform.

In the second half of the year, Subaru will remain aggressive, but will also join hands with partners in supporting various activities in order to make itself known to a wider range of consumers.

"We also want to allow customers to share our experience and create a strong impression," Apichai said. He said the Forester is not a core model for Subaru in this market. "But we still want to offer the Forester to help strengthen the Subaru brand image and be able to offer a product in every segment."

The retail price for the Forester has not been decided, but Apichai said due to the increase in fuel prices, the parent company will be helping Motor Image Subaru offer special wholesale prices. Special driving training will also be organised for the Forester.

"We will join hands with  DTAC who will be sending their customers to experience driving the Forester," he said, adding that the Forester is being targeted at businessmen who are 35 years and older, with a salary of more than Bt100,000 per month. The course will be held once a month and only 20 participants will be accepted for each class.

The Forester, previously launched in other markets, features a sporty design and is more luxurious than its predecessor, Apichai said.

"The interior has been designed to offer a high level of luxury and comfort such as in passenger cars, with its larger rear passenger area without compromising on the durability and performance of an SUV."

The Forester features a symmetrical AWD system along with a front McPherson strut and rear double-wishbone suspension with a longer wheelbase that offers improved ride comfort matching European cars, Apichai said.

Power comes from a 2-litre and turbocharged 2.5-litre, four-cylinder boxer (horizontally opposed) engine, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with sport-shift function.

      At a glance

n The new Forester is being aimed at strengthening Subaru's image in the Thai market.

n The SUV is being targeted at people who are 35 years and older, with a salary of more than Bt100,000 per month.

n Subaru will also partner with DTAC to let customers

experience the Forester and to give special driving lessons to 20 participants every month.

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