Subaru Impreza Is Top-Rated Small Car in Insurance Institute Crash Tests;
2002 Impreza Achieves Institute's `Best Pick' Distinction
CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA),
announced today that the 2002 Subaru Impreza achieved the highest rating
(good) in the most recent series of frontal offset crash tests performed by
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Impreza also earned the
Institute's coveted "Best Pick" designation.
"The occupant compartment of the Subaru Impreza maintained its shape
extremely well in the offset test, and the dummy's movement was well
controlled. All measures recorded on the dummy indicated low risk of injury,"
said Institute President Brian O'Neill. "This was a very good performance."
Vehicle ratings reflect performance in 40-mph frontal offset crash tests
into a deformable barrier. Based on the results, the Institute evaluates the
crashworthiness of passenger vehicles, assigning each vehicle a rating from
good overall to poor. The Institute's frontal offset test is especially
demanding of the vehicle's structure, as a relatively small area of the
vehicle's front-end structure must manage the crash energy.
"Safety is a primary tenet of the Subaru brand," said T.K. Saito,
chairman, president and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. "We are very pleased
with the IIHS results, as they further reinforce our commitment to occupant
safety. All Subaru vehicles -- including Legacy, Forester and Impreza -- have
received the Institute's highest rating. In addition to providing superior
occupant protection in the event of a collision, Subaru vehicles not only
provide protection in the event of a collision, but our Subaru All-Wheel Drive
system provides drivers with superior traction and control to help avoid
accidents."
The 2002 Impreza lineup includes the 2.5 RS sedan, WRX sedan and Sport
Wagon, Outback Sport and 2.5 TS Sport Wagon. Since its introduction, the 2002
Impreza WRX has garnered numerous industry awards, including Automobile
Magazine's "Automobile of the Year" for 2002 and was selected as one of Car
and Driver magazine's "10 Best" cars for 2002.
For additional information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru
vehicles, visit our media web site at www.media.subaru.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Subaru pioneered the concept of the passenger
car/sport-utility vehicle with the introduction of the Subaru Outback, the
"World's First Sport Utility Wagon."
Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes
Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers
across the United States. Over the past nine years, the company has achieved
year-over-year retail sales increases thanks to its popular line of car-based
sport utility vehicles, and is among the fastest growing brands in the
automobile industry.
Contacts: Rob Moran
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-3326
rmoran@subaru.com
2002 Impreza Achieves Institute's `Best Pick' Distinction
CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA),
announced today that the 2002 Subaru Impreza achieved the highest rating
(good) in the most recent series of frontal offset crash tests performed by
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Impreza also earned the
Institute's coveted "Best Pick" designation.
"The occupant compartment of the Subaru Impreza maintained its shape
extremely well in the offset test, and the dummy's movement was well
controlled. All measures recorded on the dummy indicated low risk of injury,"
said Institute President Brian O'Neill. "This was a very good performance."
Vehicle ratings reflect performance in 40-mph frontal offset crash tests
into a deformable barrier. Based on the results, the Institute evaluates the
crashworthiness of passenger vehicles, assigning each vehicle a rating from
good overall to poor. The Institute's frontal offset test is especially
demanding of the vehicle's structure, as a relatively small area of the
vehicle's front-end structure must manage the crash energy.
"Safety is a primary tenet of the Subaru brand," said T.K. Saito,
chairman, president and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. "We are very pleased
with the IIHS results, as they further reinforce our commitment to occupant
safety. All Subaru vehicles -- including Legacy, Forester and Impreza -- have
received the Institute's highest rating. In addition to providing superior
occupant protection in the event of a collision, Subaru vehicles not only
provide protection in the event of a collision, but our Subaru All-Wheel Drive
system provides drivers with superior traction and control to help avoid
accidents."
The 2002 Impreza lineup includes the 2.5 RS sedan, WRX sedan and Sport
Wagon, Outback Sport and 2.5 TS Sport Wagon. Since its introduction, the 2002
Impreza WRX has garnered numerous industry awards, including Automobile
Magazine's "Automobile of the Year" for 2002 and was selected as one of Car
and Driver magazine's "10 Best" cars for 2002.
For additional information about Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru
vehicles, visit our media web site at www.media.subaru.com.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Subaru pioneered the concept of the passenger
car/sport-utility vehicle with the introduction of the Subaru Outback, the
"World's First Sport Utility Wagon."
Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company markets and distributes
Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers
across the United States. Over the past nine years, the company has achieved
year-over-year retail sales increases thanks to its popular line of car-based
sport utility vehicles, and is among the fastest growing brands in the
automobile industry.
Contacts: Rob Moran
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-3326
rmoran@subaru.com
