Satisfied Owners Propel Subaru Legacy to Top of Its Class in New Survey

Canton, USA, 06/07/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

There are a dizzying number of options in the midsize sedan segment, but when it comes to customer satisfaction, a new survey has found that the 2012 Subaru Legacy is especially appreciated. Autobytel Inc. and AutoPacific’s recently released 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards singled out the Legacy as the winner in its Top Rated Mid-Size Car category after sifting through feedback from pleased owners.

To determine their Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, vehicle-information provider Autobytel and industry researcher AutoPacific surveyed approximately 75,000 new car owners that purchased a 2012-model-year vehicle between September and December of 2011. Owners were asked to weigh in on how satisfied they were with 48 vehicle attributes, and responses were then converted into a numerical score. Awards were given out to the top scorers in 26 different categories broken up by major auto segments.

“What’s important to note here is that current car owners are the ones picking winners, not journalists or any other third party,” said Gary Ciesco, general sales manager of Canton, CT Subaru dealer Mitchell Subaru. “Legacy owners, or owners of any Subaru model for that matter, are a loyal bunch because they’re very satisfied with their vehicles. As a dealership, that is a great thing for us because we get to really know our customers over the years.”

Following behind the 2012 Subaru Legacy in the Mid-Size Car category of the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards were the Suzuki Kizashi, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200 and Mitsubishi Galant, in that order. Autobytel highlighted everything from the Legacy’s impressive standard amenities to its agile handling as reasons why Legacy owners were so satisfied with their vehicles. Also mentioned was the Legacy’s available All-Weather Package, an appealing option for Snow Belt drivers as it features windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors and heated front seats.

Whether it is satisfied returning customers or new car buyers joining the fold, U.S. sales of both the Subaru Legacy and the Subaru Outback wagon are on the rise, up 23 percent and 9 percent respectively in May year-over-year. The popularity of the two models has meant daily and Saturday overtime shifts for workers at Subaru’s Lafayette, Ind. assembly plant, but the automaker is making moves to be able to increase production without having to increase employee hours.

Subaru is investing $75 million to expand the Indiana plant by 52,000 square-feet starting this summer, a project that will increase production capacity during regular shifts to 180,000 units annually from the existing limit of 156,000. The plant currently employs 3,600 people, and the new addition is expected to require 100 more full-time employees.

“The Indiana assembly line made more than half the Subaru vehicles sold in North America last year, and it’s a big part of Subaru’s efforts to increase production in the United States,” Ciesco noted. “As more and more drivers discover how great these vehicles are, Subaru will continue to add capacity. That means more jobs for Americans, which is something we can all be proud of.”

About Mitchell Subaru:
Located in Canton, Connecticut, Mitchell Subaru is a part of the Mitchell Auto Group that has provided exceptional automotive service to local drivers for more than 90 years. Their elite Subaru sales team can help customers navigate an extensive inventory of new and used Subaru vehicles in a casual environment. Connecticut drivers can also trust the service and parts experts at Mitchell Subaru to take care of their cars for years after the initial sale. Find an unbeatable selection of vehicles at www.mitchellsubaru.com, or consult a member of their trusted sales team in person at their showroom, located at 71 Albany Turnpike in Canton. They can also be reached by phone at 800-763-5617 and found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MitchellSubaruCT.