affordableverything You Need to Know About Subaru Share the Love and Charitable Giving
At River City Subaru, located at 3506 US, Huntington, WV 25705, we’re proud to support Subaru’s longstanding tradition of giving back through the Subaru Share the Love Event. If you’re wondering what Subaru Share the Love is, how much of your donations actually go to charity, or if donating a car is worth it for a tax write-off, this comprehensive guide has you covered. For any questions or to schedule a visit, call us at (304) 736-7777.
Table of Contents
- What is Subaru Share the Love? — Learn how Subaru partners with charities nationwide to transform lives through the annual Share the Love Event.
- What Percent of Donations Actually Go to Charity? — Understand the financial efficiency of charitable organizations and how your donations are spent.
- Is It Worth Donating a Car for a Tax Write-Off? — Detailed steps on how car donations work, including IRS rules and tax benefits.
- Why Is Subaru Shifting Production? — Insights into Subaru’s production changes, including the discontinuation of certain models.
- What is the Average Income of a Subaru Owner? — Demographic insights into Subaru’s loyal customer base.
- What is the Least Stolen Subaru? — Information on the Subaru models with the lowest theft rates and how to protect your vehicle.
- Is Subaru Still Owned by Toyota? — Clarifying the ownership and partnership between Subaru and Toyota.
- Is Subaru a LGBTQ Car? — Exploring Subaru’s unique marketing and community connections.
- What Subaru Models Are Being Discontinued in 2025? — Updates on Subaru’s model lineup changes.
- What is the Most Common Issue with Subaru? — A guide to typical Subaru maintenance challenges and how to address them.
What is Subaru Share the Love?
Subaru Share the Love is a nationwide charitable campaign held annually by Subaru and its dealers, including River City Subaru, partnering with organizations like Make-A-Wish to support children and families facing critical illnesses. More than 600 Subaru retailers across the U.S. participate, contributing a portion of every vehicle purchase or lease towards charitable causes. For example, during the event, a donation helps grant wishes to children like Quinn, impacting lives positively across communities such as Huntington, Dunbar, and Barboursville.
Unlike one-time donation events, Share the Love emphasizes long-term community involvement, combining corporate responsibility and customer participation. Besides Make-A-Wish, Subaru supports various causes including environmental efforts through the Subaru Eco Friendly Retailer Program and community initiatives via the Subaru Love Promise.
At River City Subaru, you can explore eligible vehicles during the event in our New Vehicle Inventory and discover how your purchase can make a difference. Learn more about Subaru’s commitment to giving back at our Subaru Love Promise page.
What Percent of Donations Actually Go to Charity?
Understanding how much of your donation reaches the intended causes is vital for informed giving. Charity efficiency is typically measured by the percentage of total expenses allocated directly to programs versus overhead such as fundraising and administration.
Highly efficient charities usually spend at least 65% of their expenses on programs, with leading organizations exceeding 75%. For instance, prestigious charities like the American Red Cross report about 90% of donations directly funding their missions. However, some nonprofits exhibit lower program efficiency due to high administrative costs or fundraising expenses.
Efficiency ratings are often validated by watchdog groups like CharityWatch, which analyze audited financial statements to calculate two key metrics:
- Program Percentage: The ratio of expenses spent on charitable programs to total expenses.
- Cost to Raise $100: The amount spent on fundraising to secure each $100 in donations.
Charities with a program percentage above 75% and a fundraising cost below $25 per $100 raised are considered highly efficient. This transparency ensures your donation to Subaru-supported charities through Share the Love maximizes impact.
You can check these charity ratings on platforms like CharityWatch or Charity Navigator to confirm your chosen organization’s efficiency. If you’re interested in supporting local initiatives in Huntington, Charleston, or St. Albans, we can help connect you to reputable programs aligned with Subaru’s philanthropic efforts.
Factors Influencing Donation Efficiency
- Type of Charitable Work: Direct services like food banks tend to have higher program efficiency compared to research-intensive charities.
- Size of Organization: Larger, established nonprofits often manage overhead costs better than smaller groups.
- Fundraising Methods: Charities relying heavily on paid professional fundraisers may have higher costs.
When donating through Subaru Share the Love or directly, knowing these elements empowers you to make impactful choices.
Is It Worth Donating a Car for a Tax Write-Off?
Donating your vehicle to charity can provide tax benefits and support worthwhile causes, including those Subaru partners with. The IRS requires donors to follow specific guidelines to claim deductions for car donations.
How Your Deduction is Determined
- If the charity sells your vehicle, your deduction equals the sale price. For sales under $500, you may deduct either the sale price or $500, whichever is less.
- If the charity uses the vehicle (e.g., for operations or donating to a recipient), you can deduct the car’s fair market value.
- For donations valued over $5,000, a formal written appraisal is required.
To estimate your car’s fair market value, use trusted guides like Kelley Blue Book, considering the car’s condition and mileage. Always obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity detailing the donation specifics including your vehicle identification number and the transaction date.
Donating your car through Subaru’s Share the Love Event or other charity programs supports community impact while providing you with potential tax savings. Before donating, consider your vehicle’s trade-in value using our trade-in tool. If you decide to maintain or repair your vehicle before donation, explore genuine Subaru parts available at our Parts Department.
Why Is Subaru Shifting Production?
Subaru isn’t shutting down production but is adapting to market changes. Notably, the Legacy sedan’s production in the U.S. is ending due to declining sedan sales, with production shifting focus to hybrid and gasoline Forester models at the Lafayette, Indiana plant. This plant will become the exclusive U.S. production site for the Forester, including hybrid variants.
Additionally, some Outback production is moving from the U.S. to Japan to navigate tariffs and optimize supply chains. These strategic moves reflect Subaru’s alignment with industry trends favoring SUVs, crossovers, and electrified vehicles.
For Huntington and nearby areas, this means increased availability of popular models like the Forester, while models like the Legacy will be phased out after 2025. You can explore remaining Legacy models in our New Subaru Legacy Inventory or browse other SUVs in our New Vehicle Inventory.
What is the Average Income of a Subaru Owner?
Subaru owners tend to be well-educated, environmentally conscious, and active individuals. Market research indicates that the average Subaru owner earns approximately $88,000 annually, which is higher than many competing brands like Toyota. This demographic includes professionals, families, and outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate Subaru’s blend of reliability, safety, and versatility.
In our Huntington dealership area, Subaru owners from neighborhoods like Barboursville, Poca, and Ashland enjoy the brand’s all-wheel-drive capability and advanced safety technologies, making Subaru a practical and trusted choice.
What is the Least Stolen Subaru?
Vehicle theft is a concern for many drivers, but Subaru vehicles, particularly the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, rank among the least stolen cars nationally. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI), no Subaru model appears on the “Most-Stolen Vehicles” list, and the Crosstrek earns a spot on the “Least-Stolen” list.
In Colorado, which has a high vehicle theft rate, the Crosstrek’s low theft incidence emphasizes Subaru’s reputation for security and owner peace of mind. Protective measures such as parking in well-lit areas, using anti-theft devices, and not leaving vehicles running unattended can further safeguard your Subaru.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Crosstrek or learning more about Subaru’s safety features, explore our New Subaru Crosstrek Inventory or schedule maintenance to keep your vehicle secure by using our Schedule Service page.
Is Subaru Still Owned by Toyota?
Subaru Corporation remains an independent automaker headquartered in Japan, though Toyota owns a significant minority stake of just over 20% as of 2024. This partnership has led to successful collaborations on vehicles like the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 sports cars, as well as the electric Subaru Solterra and Toyota BZ4X SUVs.
Despite Toyota’s stake, Subaru operates autonomously with its unique engineering focus, including its boxer engine and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive on nearly all models. The partnership enhances technology sharing and production efficiency without compromising Subaru’s independence.
Is Subaru a LGBTQ Car?
While cars don’t possess sexual orientation, Subaru carries a strong connection with the LGBTQ+ community due to strategic marketing efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Facing declining sales, Subaru identified a substantial customer base among lesbians and created ad campaigns that resonated with this group, including subtle cultural references and hiring openly gay ambassadors like Martina Navratilova.
This marketing success helped Subaru build a loyal following within the LGBTQ+ community, pioneering inclusivity in automotive advertising. Today, Subaru continues supporting LGBTQ+ causes through sponsorships and community involvement, strengthening this unique brand association.
What Subaru Models Are Being Discontinued in 2025?
The most notable discontinuation in 2025 is the Subaru Legacy sedan. After a successful six-generation run and over 1.3 million units sold, the Legacy will no longer be produced, reflecting consumer shifts toward SUVs and electrified vehicles.
Subaru is focusing on expanding its SUV lineup and electric offerings, including the new Solterra. Remaining models like the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek continue to serve drivers seeking versatility and all-weather capability.
For those interested in the Legacy, we recommend visiting River City Subaru to explore remaining inventory or consider comparable models in our extensive Used Vehicle Inventory or New Vehicle Inventory.
What is the Most Common Issue with Subaru?
Subaru vehicles are generally reliable but face some common issues, particularly with older models. The most frequent problems include:
- Transmission Failures: Especially with Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) in models from 2010-2015, owners report slipping, stalling, and unusual noises.
- Head Gasket Leaks: Older Subaru engines, notably the EJ series, are prone to head gasket failure causing coolant leaks and overheating.
- Fuel Pump Failures: These can lead to power loss or starting problems.
- Electrical Issues: Rapid battery drain, infotainment glitches, and faulty sensors like the oxygen (O2) sensor.
- Cracked Windshields: A surprisingly common complaint due to material and installation factors.
For residents in Huntington, Nitro, or nearby, regular maintenance at River City Subaru can help prevent or address these issues. Schedule your next service appointment today via our Schedule Service link and ensure your Subaru remains in top condition. For replacement parts, visit our Parts Department to find genuine Subaru components.
Maximizing Your Subaru Ownership Experience at River City Subaru
Whether you’re buying a new Subaru, exploring the benefits of charitable giving through Subaru Share the Love, or maintaining your vehicle, River City Subaru is your trusted partner in Huntington and surrounding communities like Barboursville and Poca. Discover our full range of vehicles in the New Vehicle SRP and Used Vehicle SRP. Curious about your current vehicle’s value? Use our convenient Trade-In Tool to find out.
For service or parts needs, trust our expert technicians and authentic Subaru parts at Parts. Ready to plan your next visit? Click to Schedule Service and keep your Subaru running smoothly.
Explore eco-friendly initiatives with our Subaru Eco Friendly Retailer Program, or learn about owner rewards and community programs on our Subaru Love Encore and Subaru Love Promise pages.
For personalized payments, try our handy Payment Calculator, and if you qualify, check out the Subaru Military Incentive Program.
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