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Breaking - Subaru Will Begin Building The Next-Gen Forester And Hybrid In The U.S.

Subaru announced today that it will begin building the next-generation Forester in the U.S. plant. Here are details and what’s coming for U.S. customers.
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid

In a surprise announcement at Subaru Corporation’s fiscal year-end 2024 meeting, Subaru President and CEO Atsushi Osaki said they will begin building the next-generation Forester and a new Hybrid version compact SUV at its Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana. 

UPDATED: Here is a statement from Scott Brand, President and Chief Operating Officer Subaru of Indiana Automotive.

"We’re excited about Subaru Corporation’s decision to build the Forester at our facility. Once again, they’ve demonstrated their confidence in our associates to build the company’s most popular models. We take pride in these opportunities to remain a key contributor to the brand’s continued success."

“While we have steered toward EVs, we find it important to sell internal combustion products at the same time,” Osaki said. “So, we already have plans to expand our hybrid product lineup.”

A report from Automotive News says Subaru will build the 2.5-liter gasoline Forester in Indiana as well as a new Forester Hybrid. Because Forester sales have shot through the roof recently, Subaru announced in April that it would drop the Legacy sedan production in Indiana. This will now make room for the popular Forester compact SUV. Now, SIA will build Forester for North American customers. 

“To better supply the popular Forester – the brand’s best-selling nameplate in the U.S. – Subaru will also add production of both the hybrid Forester and the traditional gasoline version to the company’s Indiana factory,” the report said.

Subaru will continue to manufacture the Forester in Gunma, Japan, which will supply its local Japanese customers as well as those in Australia, Asia, and Europe.

What Does It Mean For Customers?

More than half the vehicles Subaru sells in the U.S. are imported, including the top-selling Forester. Now, customers in North America will be able to get the Forester more easily since it doesn’t have to be shipped from Japan.

When Will Customers See The Forester Hybrid? 

The report says, “Localized U.S. production of the next-generation (Forester) hybrid system will start around 2026.”

Subaru will tap into Toyota’s hybrid technology to produce the next-generation Forester Hybrid. New Subaru EVs are coming, but until then, Subaru has been seeing the hot hybrid trend in the U.S. market, which they will take advantage of. 

“At the same time, it is important to continue to develop and sell internal-combustion vehicles and to have hybrid products ready as well.”

Subaru did not say when the new Forester with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine would begin production in the U.S. plant. Stay tuned. Subaru customers should see the U.S.-built Forester Hybrid in 2026. 

What About You?

Are you waiting to purchase a new Forester Hybrid? What do you think of the Forester being produced in the U.S.? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Forester story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News and Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

Thomas Mock (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 2:35PM

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Yes, I am waiting for the Subaru Forester Hybrid.
Currently, owned a 2019 Subaru Forester Sport and have no issues. It is spacious and great for everyday driving. As far as people complaining about the lack of HP,
I have no issues since I drive mainly in the city

George McMeen (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 3:08PM

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I currently have a 2025 Forester on order with arrival in mid June they say. Now will it be built in Japan or USA?

Allan (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 6:29PM

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I just bought a 2024 Forester touring. My other car is a Tesla model 3. I always liked Subaru—-they are artisanal and somewhat provincial. I knew the Solterra made no sense. Range is too short. It will take them at least 3 or 4 years to do an ev really well. I want them to succeed and even compete with Tesla. We hope for the best

Elizabeth Rose (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 7:04PM

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YES! Been waiting for years. Have the Crosstrek Hybrid, but we need something a little bigger for travel & camping. Meanwhile the Crosstrek has saved us a ton of gas money, because most of our Daily errands are within 5-10 miles and we have solar on the house. Hope the Hybrid Forrester comes with more range and fast charging. ...and PRETTY colors PLEASE. Not this ugly flat earthtone stuff that's popular now. Bright blue. I miss my first Crostrek's sparkle orange. Used to get SO many compliments on it.

Ed (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 7:42PM

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Looking forward to the hybrids but the rollout is painfully slow and may not make it in time for me to replace an Expiring lease

Sherry Alberti (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 8:23PM

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After my husband passed easy I traded in our car for the Subaru ForesterI needed a reliable car. I have been hoping that Subaru would come out with a hybrid as I drive back and forth to Florida. I have 98,000 miles on my touring forester. I hope it will last till the hybrids are sold.

Ed (not verified)    May 13, 2024 - 9:40PM

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Yes I was excited about the Forester Hybrid. Finding out it won't be until 2026 from Indiana instead of Japan in 2925 has dampened my enthusiasm

Scott in NY (not verified)    May 14, 2024 - 9:06AM

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I was hoping for the next-gen Legacy with a hybrid, but I'll take a Forester or Outback, even though my strong preference is for a top of the line sedan.

drscanman (not verified)    May 14, 2024 - 11:03AM

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Did not realize the "Forester – the brand’s best-selling nameplate in the U.S." How does the Crosstrek, Outback, and Ascent models rank in total sales within the North American market?

Joseph P. Fanelli (not verified)    May 14, 2024 - 8:53PM

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Assuming the US workers will match the Japanese workers as far as quality control goes and show the customers Americans take pride in their workmanship. I'm sure Japanese quality control will be top priority.

Craig Kosarko (not verified)    May 15, 2024 - 5:42PM

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Have done dealer trades for two local Subaru stores for years until totally retiring. The Forester has always been my favorite. Driven them in snow at times when I probably shouldn't have even gone outside. Snow? Go Subaru, period! Longer EV range even better.

Alfonso Cabrera (not verified)    May 16, 2024 - 3:19PM

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I bought my Subaru forester because of the quality cars Japan builds in Japan. A big difference in quality. Buying a Subaru made in the U.S is like digressing to a bad quality car the big three make here. Might as well just buy domestic. SMH!

Patrick (not verified)    June 2, 2024 - 7:59PM

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I am interested in a Subaru Hybrid. I am wondering why it is taking SIA so long to produce a hybrid version (except in their CrossTrek)

Edward Besserglick (not verified)    June 3, 2024 - 2:30PM

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I am anxiously awaiting the hybrid Forester. Unfortunately if it doesn't arrive soon, I will have to look at my other choices which are Toyotas.

A satisfied Outback owner.

Angel (not verified)    June 3, 2024 - 6:47PM

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Sad day that Forester Hybrids will be made in the US. U ask why then see below
A total of 95,830 Subaru models are being recalled.

Which Subaru model years and how many are affected?

1. The recall population includes certain 2022 Subaru Forester models. The number of potentially affected Forester compact SUV vehicles is 16.

2. The recall population includes certain 2021 Subaru Crosstrek models. The number of potentially affected Crosstrek subcompact SUV vehicles is 37,195.

3. The recall population includes certain 2021-2023 Subaru Outback models. The number of potentially affected Outback midsize SUV vehicles is 51,470.

4. The recall population includes certain 2021-2023 Subaru Legacy models. The number of potentially affected Legacy midsize sedan vehicles is 7,149.

Forester is only 16 out of 95k and that's why i bought the Forester

Bob Hall (not verified)    June 17, 2024 - 9:06PM

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Great to hear. Has Subaru considered building vehicles in Australia for the local and New Zealand market? Bob Hall.

Anthony (not verified)    July 30, 2024 - 1:16AM

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So far I have owned a 2020 Legacy built in the Lafyette plant, and currently own a 2023 Forester built in Japan. They both ran/run pretty problem free, so it doesn't really make a difference to me. They were both fine built vehicles.