How many Subaru BRATs were made?
Most estimates place total BRAT production at about 180,000 units.
The BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) was built on Subaru’s Leone platform and sold in multiple markets from 1978 through 1984. Subaru did not publish a single, official global production total, so automotive historians rely on factory literature, regional sales data, and dealer records to estimate the figure. The following sections lay out what is known and how scholars approach the counting process.
Production timeline and market scope
The BRAT spanned roughly 1978 to 1984, with the United States as a primary market and other regions receiving various trim levels and configurations. While it remained a distinct pickup variant with rear seats in the cargo bed, there is no universally accepted worldwide production tally, which is why estimates differ by source and method.
Why production totals vary
Because Subaru did not publish a consolidated global total, historians estimate from archived factory literature, model-year production figures, and regional sales records. Different definitions of what counts as a BRAT—whether counting only U.S.-market examples, including rebadged Leone variants, or aggregating export models—can shift totals noticeably.
To summarize how these totals are estimated, automotive historians typically rely on archived factory literature, dealer shipments, and press materials. The following ranges reflect those sources and their market coverage.
- Most commonly cited total: about 180,000 units produced worldwide.
- Alternative estimates: roughly 100,000 to 150,000 units, depending on whether certain export variants or regional models are included.
- U.S.-focused estimates: a substantial portion of BRAT production was delivered to the United States, with figures often reported in the tens of thousands to under 100,000 units for that market specifically.
Before reading the numbers, note that sources commonly converge on three broad totals:
In context, these numbers suggest the BRAT was a relatively limited production model for Subaru, contributing to its enduring appeal among enthusiasts today.
Summary
While Subaru did not publish a definitive global production total for the BRAT, automotive historians generally place the figure around 180,000 units, with credible ranges spanning roughly 100,000 to 180,000 depending on counting methods and markets included. The BRAT’s distinctive design and modest production run help explain its lasting status in automotive nostalgia.
How rare are Subaru BRATs?
How many Subaru BRATs were made? Records indicate that there were about 100k Subaru BRAT pickup trucklets sold in the US. Most of them became work trucks and, unfortunately, have since been left to waste away in junkyards or backyards. Finding a nice example to take home is a difficult task.
Why was the Subaru BRAT discontinued?
The declining demand came as a result of Japanese customers shifting to station wagons at that time. In 1987, exports to North America ceased, but exports to Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand continued until 1994.
How many Subaru Bajas were sold?
With Subaru projecting 24,000 sales annually, 30,000 were marketed over four and a half years. Subaru discontinued Baja production in April 2006. Subaru stock-piled an inventory of 2006 models before discontinuing production, allowing dealers to continue to sell 2006 models as late as February 2008.
How rare is a Subaru Baja?
A Subaru Baja is considered rare, especially the turbocharged manual transmission models, due to its limited four-year production run (2003-2006) and low sales figures. While total production was around 30,000 units, many have been lost to rust or wear, making well-preserved examples increasingly hard to find.
This video discusses the rarity of the Subaru Baja and its turbo manual transmission: 59sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · May 4, 2023
- Limited production: The Subaru Baja was only manufactured for four model years, from 2003 to 2006.
- Low sales: Subaru sold approximately 30,000 Bajas in total, far fewer than the 24,000 projected annual sales.
- Rarity of turbocharged models: The turbocharged "Baja Turbo" was a high-performance version that is more sought after by collectors today, making it even rarer.
- Corrosion issues: Many Bajas have rusted over time, particularly in harsh climates, which further reduces the number of well-maintained examples still on the road.
- Growing enthusiast interest: Due to its unique design and the growing appreciation for classic Subarus, interest in the Baja has increased, driving up its rarity and value.
