Subaru of America's sales dipped 9.4 percent in September, ending the automaker's streak of year-over-year sales gains at 93 months, even with a big spike in incentives.
The automaker cited low inventories and fewer selling days for the decline.
The September sales dip followed a hot August for the brand and its crossover-heavy lineup in which it surpassed the 70,000 mark for the first time in what was a record month.
While Subaru's monthly streak has been snapped, the automaker said it remains on track to hit a target of 700,000 U.S. sales in 2019.
Through September, Subaru sold 525,329 vehicles, an increase of 4.4%.
Two redesigned vehicles, the 2020 Legacy midsize sedan and Outback midsize crossover, went into production at Subaru's Indiana plant in late July.
Notable nameplates: Outback, down 13%; Forester, down 0.2%; Crosstrek, down 3.9%; Ascent, down 9.2%; Legacy, down 34% ; Impreza, down 5.3%; WRX/WRX STI, down 42%; BRZ, down 61%
Incentives: $1,860 per vehicle, up 49% from a year earlier, ALG says
Average transaction price: $29,500, up 0.7% from a year earlier, according to ALG
Quote: "Buoyed by the sales success of the all-new Forester, and strong demand for the outgoing Outback and Legacy, we started September with historically low inventory levels," said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales, in a statement. "With the all-new 2020 Outback and Legacy starting to arrive at retailers and a strong book of pre-sold orders waiting to be delivered, we look forward to strong sales in October and the remainder of the year."
Did you know? With sales of 5,319, September marks the first monthly decline for the Ascent three-row crossover, which went on sale in June 2018.
