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Subaru of America recently said the 2024 Crosstrek Sport and Limited would be produced in the U.S. for the first time at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA). So how did the U.S. factory in Lafayette, Indiana accomplish this with its tight assembly line space?
The Crosstrek Sport and Limited trim levels will continue to be the hot models because they come with a re-tuned, and slightly more powerful 2.5-liter Boxer engine upgrade. Customers in the U.S. will now get them sooner.
But, the slower-selling Base and Premium trims will still be made in Gunma, Japan, and will take longer to arrive on U.S. shores. So, we contacted Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), where the two Crosstrek trims will be manufactured, for an exclusive interview. As a result, we learned new information that SIA will not build the all-new U.S. specification 2024 Impreza hatchback at the U.S. factory.
The answers to our questions about the new Crosstrek production are attributed to Scott Brand, Executive Vice President for Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA).
How did you make room for the new Crosstrek production?
The next-generation 2024 Subaru Impreza production is now centralized to the Subaru manufacturing facilities in Gunma, Japan. This (the Impreza dropped from U.S. production) provided available capacity for the 2024 Crosstrek to be built in (the U.S. factory) at SIA.
Did you add another assembly line or use existing space?
No, existing space is being utilized.
Did you add the Crosstrek to the 2023 Impreza line since they ride on the same platform?
The Subaru Global Platform provides model flexibility between the SIA assembly lines and the Subaru plant in Japan.
Was it challenging to bring the production of the Crosstrek from Japan to the U.S.?
New model developments all present unique opportunities, but we did not experience any significant disruptions to the implementation timeline for this project.
What challenges did you encounter?
The most challenging aspect was developing this model during COVID-19 amid strict international travel restrictions. However, the joint project team in SIA and Japan adapted and developed new ways to collaborate and overcome these obstacles.
When will you begin production of the new Crosstrek?
The SIA-produced 2.5-liter Sport and Limited will begin arriving in Subaru retailers this summer.
How many Crosstrek models will you be able to produce per month?
We are not discussing anticipated production volumes at this time. However, the (2024) Crosstrek will be built alongside other Subaru models at SIA.
Subaru of America won't share the new U.S.-Made 2024 Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims with Canadian customers. Subaru Canada says its 2024 Crosstrek models will all be shipped from Japan.
Subaru of America will get the most popular 2024 Crosstrek Sport trim and the top-of-the-line 2024 Crosstrek Limited, with the 2.5-liter engine, sooner because they are now made in America. As a result, they won't have long waits for the new models to be shipped across the pond from Japan. The all-new U.S. specification 2024 Impreza hatchback will now be built exclusively in Japan to accomplish the transition.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Subaru USA
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