With over 500+ employees on-hand, Subaru of America (SOA) recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary at SOA headquarters in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Along with President and COO, Thomas J. Doll, Subaru employees counted down the anniversary on a digital clock that had been counting down the special day since last year. Wearing matching gold 50th anniversary T-shirts, Doll and the employees celebrated this special event by unveiling a 3-by-4-foot, 300 pound bronze plaque, designed by local artist Chad Fisher.
Subaru has a rich American history. With over 620 retailers across the country, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.
Fresh on the heels of celebrating its golden anniversary, let's take a look into Subaru of America’s storied past and bright future.
February 15, 1968 - Founded by two American businessmen: Malcolm Bricklin and Harvey Lamm.
1968 - The first Subaru - the 360 - reached the United States in May 1968. Priced at $1,290, it was $300 cheaper than the similar-looking Volkswagen Beetle and was 1,000 pounds lighter.
1970 - After initially being located in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, SOA moved into a much larger headquarters in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
Subaru also developed the FF-1. The front-drive FF-1 was handy for driving in snow and gave Subaru a new market position as the first Japanese manufacturer to feature front-wheel drive.
1973 - The FF-1 was replaced by the larger, more powerful Leone series.
1975 - The company introduced its first station wagon with all-wheel drive – the DL/GL. It is a major automotive milestone, as the first mass production popular priced 4WD passenger car. It spawned a revolution in the mass adoption of 4WD and AWD cars and crossovers.
1978 - In 1978, the company debuted the BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) to meet the demand for small pickup trucks in the U.S. A notable owner of a BRAT was President Ronald Reagan.
1984 - SOA created the Subaru of America Foundation to support its local communities and since then, more than $9 million has been awarded through grants, scholarships, and matching employee gifts.
October 1986 - The headquarters moved to its current Cherry Hill, New Jersey location
1989 - Subaru, together with Isuzu opened a factory in Lafayette, Indiana called Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc., or SIA. The plant initially produced the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu Rodeo.
1995 - SOA launched the Outback – the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon.” Supported by a marketing campaign using Crocodile Dundee actor, Paul Hogan, the Outback model helped Subaru sales in the U.S. recover.
2001 - SOA introduced the poplar WRX to the United States. Around this same time, Subaru created Subaru Rally Team USA to compete in U.S. rally racing.
2005 - The Tribeca mid-size crossover launches.
2017 - Subaru reported record-breaking sales of 647,956 vehicles
May 2018 - SOA is currently developing a new headquarters complex in Camden, New Jersey.
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