Subaru Australia has achieved its best ever monthly sales, of 2789 vehicles in May, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

In an outstanding month for the brand, Subaru sales were 9.9 per cent ahead of May last year.

On a year-on-year basis, Subaru is 4.0 per cent ahead of 2002.

Forester achieved 946 sales, making it the model's strongest May result, 33 per cent ahead of the same month last year.

It was a record month for Impreza, with 912 sales, 25 per cent ahead of last May.

Sales of Liberty (Legacy) and Outback were also strong, with 435 and 496 respectively.

Combined Forester and Outback sales gave Subaru a commanding 21.9 per cent lead in the Sports Utility Vehicle Compact sales segment.

Subaru's market share for the month was 3.6 per cent and for the year-to-date 3.5 per cent.

Subaru's previous best sales month was July 2000, with 2706 sales.

Subaru Australia General Manager, Nick Senior, said: "In their latest versions Forester and Impreza are achieving sales at a whole new level and we're quietly confident that Liberty (Legacy) and Outback will follow the trend when the new versions are launched in the last quarter of the year."