Subaru launched the third generation Japanese and world-market Legacy in June 1998, while the North American model was introduced in May 1999 for the 2000 model year. In all markets except for the United States, production lasted through 2002, with a limited production Blitzen model sold mid-cycle under the 2003 model year in Japan. Production in the United States lasted through 2004. At its introduction in 1999, it won the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference Car of the Year award in Japan. The Legacy is the only vehicle in this class that provides AWD as standard equipment.