CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record vehicle sales for 2011 of 266,989. Subaru has now posted sales records in each of the past three years and Subaru is the only manufacturer in the US to have posted four successive years of sales growth.

The December sales total also marks Subaru's best-ever sales month, eclipsing the previous best month of August 2009 -- the "Cash for Clunkers" month.

The 2011 achievement for Subaru is all the more remarkable considering the company had to contend with significant production delays caused by the tsunami and earthquake in Japan in March 2011. To respond to strong consumer demand for its latest products, and to make up for lost production, Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries increased vehicle manufacture in the second half of 2011 and the company is now producing more cars per month than at any time in its history.

Demand for the Subaru Legacy, Outback and Forester models continued to be strong in 2011 with Legacy and Outback setting individual records. The all-new 36 mpg Impreza began retail sales in November, boosting sales still further. With consumer demand so high, the company predicts a fourth record year in 2012 with sales likely to reach the milestone 300,000 mark.

Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc said, "We are thrilled to close 2011 with a third consecutive sales record for Subaru. We need to thank our retailers, distributors, our employees and of course the dedication and commitment of Fuji Heavy Industries staff for making these results possible. 2011 was the best year in our history, but with our production levels now running at their highest ever, and our best ever line-up in place, we are committed to another record-setting year in 2012."

"We are very pleased to welcome the 266,989 customers to the Subaru family," said Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. "With production now catching up to demand, our December sales show the potential for the Subaru brand for 2012. We delivered 34,000 cars in to dealers in December, beating our previous highest total by 5,000. Given how quickly our products are moving, we expect to reach another significant sales milestone in 2012."

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that for the third consecutive year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recognized it as the only manufacturer with a 2012 TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models.  The all-new 36 mpg 2012 Impreza, the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive vehicle in America, was awarded in the "Small Car" category.

"Our customers take their safety very seriously and so we are very pleased that IIHS has recognized us again with a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all our qualifying models," said Tom Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc. "To be able to include the redesigned 2012 Impreza to the list is an outstanding success and a tribute to the engineering that goes into our products. The IIHS reinforces to our customers that Subaru maintains the highest standards to produce vehicles that are fun-to- drive, durable, reliable as well as safe."

The TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that, in IIHS testing, do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on 'good' ratings in each category. The IIHS ranks in terms of Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor, with 'good' as the top rank possible in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control.

"Subaru once again has a TOP SAFETY PICK winner for all models," said IIHS president Adrian Lund. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."