Subaru of America, Inc. Earns Top Marks in 2009 Corporate Equality Index

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc., proudly announced that it has earned the top rating of 100 percent in the 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Subaru joins the ranks of 259 other major U.S. businesses which get top marks for their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees and consumers.

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"We are very proud to accept this recognition. Due to the diverse insights, talents and perspectives our employees contribute, we have built a culture that is cohesive in operation, strong at heart and a company where our employees work with pride," said Tomohiko Ikeda, chairman, president and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. "Together we hope to create a reputation of distinction, service and respect."

The CEI rated 583 businesses in total, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits. Subaru's efforts in ensuring LGBT equality in each of the survey's main criterion earned it the prestigious 100 percent ranking.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of nearly 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics calendar year-end 2007. In addition, Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit http://www.subaru.com.

For more information on the 2009 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit http://www.hrc.org/cei.

    Contact:  Heather Ward
              856-488-5093
              hward@subaru.com