Japan has seen unprecedented demand for the new Subaru Forester hybrid. According to the Japanese publication BestCarWeb, the volume of pre-orders for the model exceeded 15,000 units-six times more than the original monthly sales plan. This was a record for the Forester model and the second-highest figure in Subaru's history, second only to the high demand for the second-generation Legacy in March 1997.
Initially, Subaru planned to sell about 2,400 hybrid Foresters per month in the domestic market. However, the high activity of buyers exceeded expectations, as a result of which the waiting period for the car reached approximately one year. The company notes that such a long delay is associated not only with high demand, but also with a temporary decrease in production capacity — the plant where Forester is produced is being upgraded in preparation for the launch of the new Trailseeker model.
For comparison, the Forester version with a 1.8-liter turbo engine remains more affordable — the average delivery time is from three to four months.
With interest growing, Subaru is already taking steps to ramp up production. However, representatives of the company's public relations department have so far refrained from making official statements about how much the waiting time for new cars can be reduced.
The launch of the hybrid Forester marks an important milestone in Subaru's electrification strategy. The combination of an updated platform, economy and branded all-wheel drive has generated a noticeable response from consumers, especially in the domestic market. Analysts expect Subaru to step up deliveries and expand production in the coming months to meet growing demand.
