Subaru set a new annual sales record in 2003, retailing a total of 29,829 vehicles, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

The total represented a 3.4% share of the Australian market. It is the sixth consecutive year Subaru has set an annual sales record - eclipsing by 1717 sales the mark set in 2002 of 28,112 - and is the biggest increase in annual sales since 1999. It is also the eighth consecutive year of year-on-year growth.

The result came after record December sales of 3064 vehicles, the first time Subaru has passed three thousand sales in one month. The monthly figure represented a 3.9% share of the market.

It is the third time this year that a new monthly sales record has been set. The previous monthly best of 2807 came two months earlier in October.

Forester sales were also at a record high for the month, totaling 1249, up by 56 over the previous best monthly figure set in July 2002. This brought total annual sales for the Forester to 11,780, well up on the previous mark of 9863 set in 2002.

Impreza also experienced its strongest December with 756 sales. The previous highest December mark for Impreza was 716 back in 2001.

The success of the newly-introduced Liberty (Legacy) and Outback models continues, selling 508 and 551 respectively.

Forester and Outback combined to take a 22.9% share of the compact SUV segment for 2003.

Subaru Australia General Manager, Nick Senior, was delighted to end the year on a high note.

"The Australian public continues to recognise our brand for design and engineering excellence and value for money," said Mr Senior.

"We have seen strong performances across our entire range, with Forester setting more records and Impreza having its strongest year since 1999, just eight sales short of its all-time record.

"We have a strong order book for Liberty (Legacy) and Outback into 2004, particularly for our premium pack models which have been in really short supply.

"Importantly, the record has been set with quality sales, across a cost range of the Impreza GX manual sedan to Liberty (Legacy) GT wagon.

"It demonstrates that not only are sales at a record high, but so too is Subaru's brand value."