Dave Rowley Retires, Leaving a Hole at Subaru

Dave came to Australia from his native Yorkshire in 1988, and has since helped propel Subaru from a modest retailer to the force of nature that it is today. His retirement date is set for the end of August.

After stints in QANTAS and at private PR firms, Dave joined Subaru, with the face that launched a thousand Scoobs. The importance of automotive PR managers can’t be understated. It is their job to get the product in front of as many people as possible, in as imaginative a way as possible. After 22 years, Dave is the longest serving PR manager in the biz, which speaks to his commitment, and knowledge. Having previously written for the Yorkshire Post, Dave knew how to get Subaru in front of motoring writers in a way that mattered to journalists.

Honda was Dave’s first Automotive stop downunder, then at Subaru, helped promote motorsport, with a focus on Rally Sport. There were 6 Rally Championship wins with drivers Peter “Possum” Bourne, Cody Crocker, and Molly Taylor.

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ABOVE: Dave Rowley (centre)

ABOVE: Subaru through the years

Blair Read, General Manager Subaru Australia, said: “Dave has been instrumental in building the Subaru brand and cementing its reputation in the Australian market, including the successes in motorsport that the brand is still known for today.

“We are privileged to be able to continue on this journey with the strong foundations he has set in place and are eternally grateful for Dave’s significant contribution over the past two decades.

“We wish him all the very best and many wonderful adventures in his retirement.” 

David said: “As a relatively late entrant into automotive in my mid-30s, I was fortunate that the Subaru chiefs back in the day, Trevor Amery and Nick Senior, were prepared to take a risk on someone with so little industry experience.

“It’s been a privilege to work with the Subaru Blue Army over so long and while the brand and product are fantastic, it’s the spirit of the people working within the organisation that have fuelled my PR passion.

“Equally, I’m grateful to the many automotive media contacts whose interest in all things Subaru has kept me gainfully employed. The media landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with ever-increasing deadline demands – and multi-skilling across different platforms – making a hugely challenging environment.

“They have my admiration, as do my wonderful Subaru colleagues.”

The role of a PR manager is fluid, to say the least. It is of particular importance when the import company is not a manufacturer, as is the case at Subaru. Unlike most other brands in Australia, Subaru, along with Peugeot and Citroen, come to OZ shores via Inchcape.

GayCarboys wishes Dave a happy retirement, but we suspect there will be little time to have feet up, watching the tellie.

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Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.

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