LAS VEGAS -- Subaru of America expects up to 80 more dealers to sign up for a second phase of the Fixed Operations Expansion, or FOX, program.
Dealers got the news at their make meeting at the NADA convention.
Subaru got approval from headquarters last month to offer the program a second time and give financial aid to dealers who opt in.
"We are growing like crazy," said Tom Doll, president of Subaru of America.
Dealers have been clamoring for another chance to participate in FOX. About 293 retailers out of 625 -- 47 percent -- of the dealers have already signed up, Doll said.
"It has been one of the best Subaru programs," said Robert Alvine, president of Premier Auto Group in Branford, Conn., and owner of two Subaru stores.
Subaru of America executives also outlined a sales target of 615,000 vehicles for 2016, which would be up from 582,675 last year. The pace of sales will pick up in the second half because of an expansion at the factory in Lafayette, Ind., that will bring annual capacity of Subaru vehicles to 394,000 units by 2017 from 200,000 last year.
Dealers also discussed the coming launch of the redesigned Impreza and the potential for increasing sales because of major styling changes and interior and equipment upgrades to the compact car, said Rocky DiChristofano, president of Tucson Subaru in Tucson, Ariz.
The car's new global platform and the fact that it will be made in the United States at the Lafayette plant will also be a competitive edge, Alvine said: "It will be a class-leading car."
Subaru will continue its Love Promise program that underlines brand and dealer commitment to the local community, dealers said. The program "is an important part of the community and helps build life-long relationships," said Jeffrey Walters, Subaru of America senior vice president of sales.
Subaru will again offer its Share the Love year-end campaign. It donates $250 for every car sold to charity. A Subaru spokesman said other programs throughout the year will focus on wellness, the Earth and pets.
