Subaru has established a new annual sales record of 33,619 vehicles for 2004, according to official VFACTS figures released yesterday.

It is Subaru's ninth consecutive year of record sales and is 12.7 per cent ahead of the previous year's figure of 29,829. That compares with an overall industry sales increase of 5 per cent.

Subaru's market share of 3.52 per cent is also a record.

The increase in sales of 3,790 vehicles is the brand's largest increase since 1999.

Model highlights for 2004 included record sales of Forester (11,852), Impreza (8,156) and Outback (6,658).

Liberty also sold strongly, with 6953 units - 1,942 ahead of the previous year.

Combined Forester and Outback sales of 18,510 again made Subaru dominant in the SUV Compact segment, with a 24.6 per cent market share in 2004.

Subaru's December sales totalled 2,213.

Subaru Australia General Manager Nick Senior said: "There have been several highlights that helped expand Subaru's appeal over the past year, including introduction of the six-cylinder Liberty and manual Liberty GT.

"Specification has been enhanced across much of the range with the addition of comfort, safety and technical features on many models.

"The average transaction value of a Subaru in the last six months reached its highest-ever level.

"The demand and critical acclaim of our Liberty 3.0-litre models is particularly exciting.

"It is now commonly compared to much more expensive European cars.

"Sales of the Subaru Forester continue to impress. Every year since launch sales have increased and that is probably a record few models could match.

"We look forward to refining and developing our range still further during 2006 to maintain and develop customer interest still further."