Straightline

Many within FHI (Subaru) worry that a RWD Subaru coupe could dilute brand's AWD image. Well, duh... Of course it will—and I've been saying this from the very moment I got wind of this news...

"We may lose our longstanding territory, or we may lose the great niche brand image. The potential risk is there. We have to be very smart on marketing strategy," states Mat Nagato, chief of overseas sales at Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries. He goes on to also say, "a potential question could be cannibalization."

It's a bad idea. No, make that an awful idea, that being a RWD Subaru coupe. I'll go even further: It's the stupidest marketing idea I've yet heard from Subaru—and that going some, as they have long history of making bonehead marketing decisions—and this is coming from a diehard Subaru fan (we've got three in the family, one being a WRX).

Can you imagine this dynamic duo—a Toyota and Subaru that are identical except for a different grille and taillights? Think Pontiac Solstice/Saturn/Sky clones; or better yet, the ill-fated Saab 9-2x/Subara Impreza fiasco.

That's what they'll end up with; two virtually identical cars fighting each other for customers. I say give the Toyota version RWD and keep the Subaru version AWD. That way the vehicles will be distinct from one another, and will appeal to different customers.

But you say you want a RWD Subaru because it will be cheaper, lighter, slightly more fuel-efficient and simpler than any AWD version?

I say go buy the Toyota then—and leave the Subaru AWD for those of us who want and appreciate that configuration. And hey, Subaru will make money regardless which one you buy, as they both will be built using the Subaru boxer engine, and will be built in a Subaru factory.

Finally, if you're wondering why I'm even mentioning the possibility of AWD being offered, my understanding is that has not yet been finally determined. So an AWD possibility is on the table, at least for now it is.

Full story here. And for those who can't log on to AN, you can find the article here.

UPDATE: In a related story (here). Nick Senior, Subaru of Australia's managing director says no to this coupe, as Subaru Australia won't import it. Here are a few quotes from Senior on this topic:

“From my understanding of it, it doesn’t fit within our brand strategy.”

“But more realistically and more credibly, our DNA is boxer engines and all-wheel drive. I haven’t seen that lose impetus in the last 10 years, so why should we stray from that strategy?”

On the subject of the similar Toyota model, Senior stated: “It gets back to the whole debate about badge engineering and we aren’t interested in that."