[danc]

OK, assuming you are not you (because the answer would be NOW), but you are Subaru of America, when would you release the STi? Would you wait to see how the EVO does? Or scoop them and release it sooner? Or make it coincide?

Seems to me they'd want to at least announce it before the EVO arrives. So that lines up with the 3rd quarter prediction.

I dunno. It just seems like a very odd silence right now. I haven't heard of any sitings lately, and Auto Week is supposedly reporting spring this year. And I wrote the dealership internet contact, and he told he the regional managers are basically sworn to secrecy. If they were planning on releasing it next year, as everyone expects, why wouldn't they just repeat that? I just have a strange feeling they might be planning something sooner.

 

[6-speeder]

I think you are right, they just might release it sooner and at a slightly lower than generally expected price point to oervhelm the competition. Actually, they've already done it with the US WRX - introduced it slightly sooner and slightly cheaper than generally expected even though they did not have any real competition back then.

 

[JJ]

I think Mitsu is planning a Q2 '03 (like in April) release. As soon as they released pricing, if I was Subaru, I would try and be aggressive as possible to get the price maybe 1,000 more or so- then I would release Q1 '03 (like in Feb).

JJ

 

[thermite]

I would release it before the EVO. And also with a slight price reduction than expected to convince buyers. Althought id probly release at least 2500 cars. just my $.02 worth.

Glen

 

[JJ]

I firmly believe that Subaru can bring us the STi for under 30K. Maybe 29,995, but they can do it if they try.

If I was SOA, I would be willing to sell them for $1 over costs, just to build up my image.

I think we will all be in for a surpise about a year from now- you, me, the press, the industry...

JJ

 

[JJ]

danc:

Why the silence? Why don't they just announce?

Because they don't want to hurt WRX sales. Remember, they announced the WRX in January, announced pricing on Feb, and the cars were here by second week of March...

I have no info on it coming sooner, and I do have some contacts... :smile:


JJ