Subaru in the U.S. through the years

Here's a timeline of notable events, sales figures, advertising campaigns and vehicle launches during Subaru of America's first 50 years in the U.S.

1968: Subaru of America Inc. is incorporated.

1969: Sales total 2,407 vehicles in the brand's first full year in the U.S.

1972: Co-founder Malcolm Bricklin leaves.

1976: Subaru partners with the U.S. Ski Team, and its four-wheel-drive wagon becomes the team's official car.

1977: Subaru launches the BRAT. The brand's sales hit 80,826. 

1978: Sales top 100,000 vehicles for the first time, at 103,274. 

1985: The wedge-shaped XT coupe joins the lineup.

1986: Sales reach 183,242. Nine years of declining sales follow.

1987: Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc. manufacturing joint venture breaks ground in Lafayette, Ind. 

1989: The first Indiana-built model, a Legacy sedan, rolls off the line.

1990: Fuji Heavy Industries acquires full ownership of Subaru of America. Sales total a meager 108,547 vehicles. Co-founder Harvey Lamm exits the automaker.

1991: Subaru hires Wieden and Kennedy as its new ad agency. The "What to drive" tag line flops.

1993: The Impreza nameplate launches and even has a Super Bowl spot. Wieden and Kennedy is abruptly fired as sales remain stagnant.

1994: The Outback trim line for the Legacy wagon is introduced for the 1995 model year. Subaru barely cracks the 100,000-vehicle mark, with 100,619 sales.

1995: The Outback becomes its own nameplate for the 1996 model year. Australian actor Paul Hogan is brought on to pitch the new model. Sales decline to just 100,407 vehicles, Subaru's lowest figure since 1977.

1997: The Forester is introduced for the 1998 model year. Subaru sales reach 133,783.

2000: Tennis star Martina Navratilova is hired for a new ad campaign, with the tag line, "What do I know?" Sales hit 172,216.

2006: "It's what makes a Subaru a Subaru" advertising campaign launches. Sales break the 200,000 mark, with 200,703.

2007: Carmichael Lynch is named advertising agency of record. 

2008: The "Love" marketing campaign launches.

2009: Despite the Great Recession being in full swing, sales rise to 216,652 in a record-setting year.

2012: Sales hit 336,441. Subaru launches a new nameplate, the Crosstrek.

2013: Tom Doll is named president. Sales climb to 424,683. 

2014: Production of the Tribeca ends in January. Sales grow to 513,693.

2016: Redesigned Impreza, the first model on the Subaru Global Platform, launches. Sales jump to 615,132.

2017: Subaru's largest model ever, the Ascent, debuts in Los Angeles. The brand's sales total 647,956. 

2018: Subaru is set to move its headquarters to a new building in Camden, N.J.