Production begins on 2010 Subaru Legacy

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The new Subaru Legacy will soon be rolling off the production line and onto car dealership lots.

"It's really the new start of the Legacy, a different styling and we're really looking forward to it's introduction," SIA Vice President Tom Easterday said.

Easterday said the new Legacy uses a more fuel-efficient transmission and releases fewer harmful emissions. The new model gets up to three miles more per gallon and has more leg-room.

" We'll be putting these out through Subaru of America into the market in July. The national ad campaign for this will probably hit in August or September," Easterday said.

SIA Group Leader of Quality Control Ken Nelson said more than 1,000 Legacys will be made each week.

" Everyone is pretty excited about the new vehicle. We think it's going to be a very good selling vehicle. High-quality. Its a got a lot of amenities that appeal to the North America market," Nelson said.

Easterday said the new Legacy received rave reviews at national auto shows and has been compared to a Mercedes or BMW. He is optimistic the new Legacy will do well, despite the tough economy.

"Subaru was the only auto maker to have sales increase during the first three months of this year in the U.S. market," Easterday said.

Approximately 100 Legacys were produced over the last few weeks as a part of a ramp up to full production. They will be distributed to Subaru dealers around the country.