The five door hatch sold 103 units, its best September sales ever. This was a 542 percent improvement over September 2006.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

And interest in the 2008 model, which has taken Subaru into a new area of the small car market, is continuing to grow.

“Our dealers have placed some big orders for the months ahead,†said Chris Rickards, the General Manager of Subaru of New Zealand. “That’s an indication they and the buying public have taken to the new design, which packages more interior room and a host of safety features as well as car’s renowned handling and sure footed All Wheel Drive technology.â€

The 2008 Impreza is the only car available in New Zealand under $100,000 with a nine star safety rating with the maximum five stars from the ANCAP crash testing and four star pedestrian protection.

In other parts of the world the Impreza’s launch has been equally successful.

Subaru of America reported its best September sales in 20 years on the back of the new Impreza.

It recorded a September best month for the model with 4195 sales, an 11 percent increase over the same month last year. It is the best ever sales month for Impreza in the United States since the model was first introduced in 1993.

Subaru America sold 16,457 units, up two percent from the same period last year, its best September in 20 years.

“September was our first full month of sales for the new 2008 Subaru Impreza,†said Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “The market has responded with enthusiasm to the new product and we see this trend continuing through to the end of the year.â€

In Australia Impreza’s 1144 sales during September was 30 percent over the same month last year.

And it was more of the same in Canada with Impreza sales up 94.9 percent over the same month last year to 876 vehicles.  This was a 9.8 per cent improvement over the previous monthly Impreza sales record of 799 set in August, the new car’s launch month.