Subaru's Australian Roots: Marketing Or Misconception?

why do people think subaru is made in australia

Many people associate Subaru with Australia due to a combination of factors, including the name of their popular Outback model, the logo's resemblance to the Australian flag, and their Australian-themed commercials featuring Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee). Additionally, the best aftermarket parts for Subarus were being made in Australia, and the cars sold better in Australia than in Japan. All these factors contribute to the perception that Subaru is an Australian brand, when in fact, it is a Japanese automobile manufacturer.

Characteristics Values
Name of the car model Outback
Name of the company Subaru
Name resembles "Kangaroo"
Logo Resembles the Australian flag
Commercials Featuring Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee")
Aftermarket parts Were being made in Australia
Sold better In Australia, England and Northern Europe than in Japan
Known as Brumby in Australia

shunculture

The name 'Outback'

Many people associate the Subaru brand with Australia, and this could be due to a number of factors. Firstly, the name of one of its most popular models, the Outback, evokes a rugged, adventurous image of the Australian Outback. This name was used in commercials featuring Paul Hogan, the Australian actor famous for his role in the film "Crocodile Dundee", which further reinforced the Australian connection.

The Subaru logo, featuring a constellation of stars, also resembles the Australian flag, which some have suggested may have contributed to the perception that the brand is Australian. Additionally, Subaru's early success in the Australian market, with the popularity of its aftermarket parts and models like the Outback, could have also played a role in this assumption.

Furthermore, the name "Subaru" itself may have sounded Australian to some, with playful suggestions of “Subaroo” or "Subaru Kangaroo" adding to the perception. The combination of these factors has likely led many to believe that Subaru is an Australian brand, when in fact, it is a Japanese automobile manufacturer.

In conclusion, the name "Outback" for one of Subaru's models, along with its marketing campaigns, the design of its logo, and its popularity in Australia, have all contributed to the perception that the brand is Australian-made. However, despite these associations, Subaru remains a Japanese automobile manufacturer, showcasing the influence of branding and marketing on consumer perceptions.

shunculture

The logo resembles the Australian flag

The Subaru logo features a cluster of stars, which some people think resembles the stars on the Australian flag. The Southern Cross constellation is featured on the Australian flag, and some people believe the Subaru logo is a reference to this. The logo is actually a depiction of the Pleiades star cluster, which is a different constellation entirely. However, the fact that the logo features stars at all may have contributed to the perception that Subarus are Australian-made.

Subarus were advertised in the US and Canada in the mid-90s with an Australian theme. The commercials starred Australian actor Paul Hogan, famous for his role in the film "Crocodile Dundee", which was partially set in the Australian Outback. The commercials featured the Outback model, which was also the focus of Subaru's US marketing in the early days. The name "Outback" and its association with Australia may have contributed to the perception that Subarus are Australian-made.

The success of "Crocodile Dundee" in the mid-80s led to a surge in popularity for Australian accents and culture in America. This may have been another factor in the perception of Subarus as Australian-made. Additionally, Subaru sold better in Australia than in Japan, and many of the best aftermarket parts for Subarus were made in Australia. This could have further reinforced the idea that Subarus are Australian.

It is worth noting that some people also thought Subarus were Swedish, possibly due to the similarity in design between Subarus and Saabs of the 60s and 70s. However, the Australian association was much stronger, with some people even suggesting that the name "Subaru" sounds similar to "kangaroo".

shunculture

Paul Hogan in commercials

Many people associate Subaru with Australia because of the name "Outback", which was the name of one of its most popular and well-known vehicles. The vehicle was promoted in commercials featuring Australian actor Paul Hogan, who played the iconic "Crocodile Dundee". These commercials were aired in the US and Canada in the mid-1990s and contributed to the perception of Subaru as an Australian brand.

Paul Hogan's trademark ads for Subaru included car chases, pithy one-liners, and brides splattered with mud. However, by 2002, Subaru decided to take its advertising in a new direction. Although Hogan remained under contract, the company chose to replace him with unknown actors meant to typify Subaru's customers. The new commercials were warm-hearted and portrayed Subaru drivers as sensitive and outdoorsy.

The shift in advertising strategy was accompanied by a change in tagline from "When you get it, you get it", which referred to the character of Subaru's customers rather than a single character, such as Hogan. The new commercials also featured children, dogs, and even a bunny rabbit, and played on Subaru's cult following.

In addition to the successful Paul Hogan marketing campaign, there are other reasons why people associate Subaru with Australia. Firstly, all the best aftermarket parts for Subaru cars were being made in Australia. Secondly, the name "Outback" and the star logo, which resembles the Australian flag, further reinforce the Australian connection. Lastly, the Subaru sold better in Australia and other parts of the world, such as England and Northern Europe, compared to its sales in Japan.

shunculture

Australian parts used in WRX

There are several reasons why people associate Subaru with Australia. Firstly, the name of one of its most popular vehicles, the Outback, evokes a rugged, adventurous image that is closely tied to the Australian landscape. The Outback name was also used in conjunction with commercials featuring Paul Hogan, the Australian actor known for his role in "Crocodile Dundee", further reinforcing the Australian connection.

Another reason for the association could be the Subaru logo, which features a constellation of stars that some people mistakenly believed to be the Southern Cross, a prominent symbol on the Australian flag.

Now, onto the WRX and the Australian parts used in its modification. The WRX, an iconic model in the Subaru lineup, has a strong association with Australian aftermarket parts. When the WRX was finally introduced to the US market after an 11-year wait, it's no surprise that many modified WRX's relied on Australian parts. Here are some Australian parts used in the WRX:

  • Internal Wastegate Actuator (IWG) from Turbosmart, which provides better turbo response and greater sensitivity when managing boost pressures.
  • Haltech Elite 1500 + Subaru WRX MY99-00 Plug 'n' Play Adaptor Harness Kit, allowing for a plug 'n' play replacement of the factory ECU.
  • Turbosmart Fuel Rail Adaptor, allowing for the fitment of the Turbosmart Fuel Pressure Regulator to the OEM fuel rail.
  • Turbosmart Supersonic BOV, a preferred venting solution for street tuners and racers, offering high flow performance.
  • Kelford Cams, designed for the Subaru EJ25 WRX STi with AVCS (2004 and later models), enhancing camshaft performance.
  • Invidia Down Pipe "Australian Spec" with 300 CPSI Cat, specifically designed for the Australian market.

These Australian parts played a significant role in enhancing the performance and appeal of the Subaru WRX, contributing to its popularity and aftermarket support.

shunculture

Subaru' sounds like 'kangaroo'

Many people have historically associated Subaru with Australia, and some of the reasons for this are indeed linked to the name "Subaru" and how it sounds.

One reason for this association is the name of one of their most popular vehicles, the Outback, which is also the name of a vast, sparsely populated region in Australia. The vehicle was promoted in commercials featuring Paul Hogan, who played the iconic "Crocodile Dundee", further strengthening the Australian connection in people's minds.

Another reason for the association could be the star logo, which some people find reminiscent of the Australian flag. The logo is said to represent a cluster of stars called the Pleiades, which form a constellation together with the Southern Cross. This constellation is said to be visible from Australia, and some people believe it is unique to the Australian night sky.

Additionally, some people find the name "Subaru" itself to sound Australian. This could be because it sounds similar to the word kangaroo, as one person jokingly suggested. While this may be a lighthearted suggestion, it highlights how the name "Subaru" may have contributed to the perception of the brand as Australian.

Furthermore, Subaru has had a presence in Australia since the mid-1950s, with imports of the 360 & ff-1 Star 1000. Official operations began in 1973, and the company has multiple showrooms across the country. Subaru cars were also enhanced by Australian-made parts, which further strengthened the association with Australia.

These factors, combined with effective marketing campaigns, contributed to the widespread perception that Subaru was an Australian brand, when in fact, it is a Japanese company and the automobile manufacturing division of the Japanese conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries).

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment