Subaru’s BRZ moves into showrooms

SUBARU’S Australian dealers finally have their hands on the BRZ sports coupe to sell through their showrooms where buyers now get a chance to haggle.

Sold exclusively online directly from Subaru Australia since the car was launched here in July 2012, the rear-wheel-drive BRZ can now also be ordered like any other Subaru vehicle via the traditional face-to-face dealer sales process.

Subaru Australia said the original online process resulted from the limited availability of BRZ from the Japanese factory, but additional supply meant it could now open up the process to showroom sales.

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said: “Production efficiencies at Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, have presented this opportunity to expand BRZ sales into our retail network.

“It’s great for our customers, because they have the choice of buying online at a driveaway price, or using the more traditional dealer method.

“It’s also great for dealers in our network, which have the opportunity to display one of Australia’s most popular sports cars in their showroom.” The recommended driveaway price for the six-speed manual is $37,150, and $39,730 for the six-speed automatic. Subaru says these prices are in line with online prices.

The BRZ sales success is one of the most successful online sales programs in Australian history.

Subaru has sold 1800 BRZs in Australia since launch in July 2012. Meanwhile, Toyota’s near-identical 86 has accumulated almost 8000 sales since it was launched in 2012.

The difference is explained by supply arrangements, with Toyota getting a much larger slice of the production pie in line with its greater global sales.