The U.S. plant where the 2020 Subaru Outback is made will stay dark though April 17. See what it means for employees and new SUV shoppers.
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Like most automakers, Subaru is extending its plant shutdown in the US because of the COVID-19 health crisis sweeping the U.S. and globe. Subaru Indiana Automotive (SIA) factory where the Japanese automaker manufactures the 2020 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Impreza sedan and 5-Door compact, and Legacy, will remain dark through April 17, 2020. Torque News reported the Subaru factory would originally close March 23-29. Last Friday, we reported the Japanese automaker extended what was supposed to be a week-long closure through April 6.
Subaru’s latest announcement says, “In response to COVID-19, SIA has extended its shutdown through Friday, April 17. Only limited personnel will be working on-site during this time.” A report from WLFI in West Lafayette, Indiana says according to a memo they obtained from Subaru said all associates who work at the Lafayette, Indiana plant will continue to receive full pay, but only through Friday, April 10.
Another report from Inside Indiana Business says temporary production associates with at least 90 days of service at SIA will also receive full pay through April 10. The company says information regarding pay for the week of April 13-17 hasn’t been announced. The Governor of Indiana is urging residents in Indiana living in COVID-19 “hotspots” to stay home.
Other new information from these reports says not only the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana will be shut down through April, 17, but the main production plant in Gunma, Japan will also shut down all production due to COVID-19. The plant in Japan produces the 2020 Forester SUV, Crosstrek subcompact, WRX and WRX STI performance cars, and BRZ and Toyota 86 sport coupes.
Subaru says operations will continue to be shut down due to supply chain interruptions and to adjust production volume in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Around 6,000 employees work at the Subaru manufacturing plant in Indiana and will be sitting home.
Many Subaru dealers have closed resulting in a sharp decline in sales. To offer customers an extra incentive to buy now, Subaru of America is offering zero-percent financing on all 2020 Forester, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy models, for 63 months. Stay tuned to Torque News for the latest CIVID-19 news.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!
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Photo credit: Subaru Indiana Automotive
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