Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! Just one year ago, here in Geneva, I told you about our new mid-term management plan based upon the principle “Customer comes first”. In this new management plan, we, Subaru committed to incorporate environment and driving pleasure while improving safety and comfort. Providing new products with a Distinctive Subaru experience, we would attract a much wider range of customers.
Today, I am pleased to announce we have kept our promise. First of all, this is a long-awaited and distinctive Subaru product. It also displays Subaru’s innovative and landmark technology. Ladies and Gentlemen, The World’s First SUBARU BOXER DIESEL. It’s here.
To realize our new philosophy, it was essential for Subaru to develop our own diesel engine. A quality ride for every passenger and environmental protection was embodied by integration with this diesel engine and Subaru unique All-Wheel-Drive. SUBARU BOXER DIESEL. The World’s First Boxer Diesel for Passenger Cars. We have successfully achieved a longer stroke arrangement that generates powerful torque without increasing the overall engine width. The unique horizontal layout achieves smooth rotational balance and results in minimal vibrations and noise, both at idle and high speed. It provides levels of quietness previously unknown to the ordinary diesel users. It offers smooth and outstanding accelerative response, making it a diesel engine with a distinctive sporty feeling. Thanks to its highly rigid design, the boxer diesel is the class-leading lightweight and most compact diesel engine on the market. Last but not least, the Subaru Boxer Diesel achieves excellent environmental performance; it has the best fuel efficiency in the All-Wheel-Drive passenger vehicle class. Subaru Boxer Diesel debuts with the Legacy and Outback.
Another key product to boost our sales this year is the new Forester. As the pioneer of the crossover vehicle, the new Forester will satisfy its loyal supporters with its features refined to best. It provides roomy and comfortable interior space; the symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive and Subaru Dynamic Chassis Control Concept now offer improved stability and quality ride. In addition to its excellent safety features, the new Forester also offers better fuel efficiency. We introduced it in Japan last December and we sold more than double our initial target during the first month following its launch. As the new Forester has the best package ever; I believe it will be well accepted by customers across Europe.
Introducing these new products will help us achieve our sales target in Europe this year, around 90 thousand units, increased by 20% over the last year, and to carry this momentum to over 100 thousand units next year.
The next model we present also highlights our commitment to a better environment towards the future. This is a Compact Electric Vehicle concept, called Subaru G4e. Thanks to its highperformance next-generation lithium-ion batteries and lightened weight, the G4e Concept estimate travel distance is 200 kilometers.
This G4e concept was developed based upon research achievement of the R1e electric vehicle displayed here. As of date, 40 units of R1e have been delivered to Tokyo Electric Power Company, Japan’s largest power provider. They are using R1es as their daily company cars.
One of the main features of R1e is their quick chargeable performance. Using a high-power charger, quick charge is possible in only 15 minutes, and can drive around 100km. We plan to test-market around 100 units of Electric Vehicle next year in Japan. Subaru’s goal is to become the leading brand in the Electric Vehicle market. We will further develop the Subaru Electric Vehicle as the ultimate zero-emission vehicle for city commuters.
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Subaru. For 50 years, Subaru has offered unique and high-quality products, and has been acclaimed for its distinctive and innovative technologies.
Subaru will continue to offer unique products by integrating comfortable and reliable driving with the global environment. And we will contribute to the prosperity of society, under our brand symbol of six stars.
On this milestone anniversary, I am proud to be here and introduce the latest product that will enable Subaru to stand out as an unique brand in Europe, and that will lead to the next 50 years.
The World’s First Subaru Boxer Diesel. It’s Here.
