Subaru Can’t Build The New Outback Fast Enough - What They Are Doing To Fix It

Sales of the 2023 Subaru Outback are down, but it's not because the midsize SUV is losing its appeal. Subaru of America can't build the newly-remodeled Outback fast enough to fill the backorders of the new model.

The Subaru Outback is down 6.7 percent for the year, and the midsize SUV was the number one selling model in 2021 until the Crosstrek shot ahead this year. The new Outback remains second in the lineup, with 132,465 models sold for the year. Subaru retailers could sell more if they could get them.

If you are a customer waiting for your new 2023 Outback order, help is on the way.

We recently reported that Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), the plant where the Outback is manufactured, is struggling to get assembly line workers because they are now competing against a McDonald's hamburger franchise on wages outside the assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

Subaru Corporation CEO Tomomi Nakamura said, "In Indiana, part-time workers at McDonald's earn $20 to $25 per hour, which competes with what temporary workers make at our plant," Nakamura said. "If we were to build a new plant, it would be difficult to hire new people. Labor costs are rising now. It is quite challenging for us to secure workers for our Indiana plant, including those of suppliers."

To fix the problem, Subaru of Indiana Automotive is now advertising they are hiring candidates with manufacturing experience at a starting pay of $25.46 per hour and a top wage of $32.02 per hour to compete with a McDonald's hamburger franchise.

SIA says they are looking for candidates with 1.5 years or more experience in Manufacturing Assembly, Machine Operating, Picker-Packer roles, Quality Control, Fork Truck operations, Automotive Repair, and Industrial Maintenance. The position is for the second shift, which is the hardest to fill (4:30 PM to 1:00 AM).

Subaru offers full benefits

SIA offers good benefits and says the job comes with premium-free medical, dental, and vision plans ($0 premiums) for employees and eligible family members. Participation in SIA's 401K plan includes matching and annual contributions. Eligible for SIA's annual holiday gift and 1.5x paid overtime. Additional 5 percent shift premium for associates working the 2nd shift. Pay increases every six months. Eligible for Career Advancement Opportunities Day 1 of employment.

The 2023 Subaru Outback sales are down for the year because SIA's second shift isn't operating at total capacity. Subaru can't build enough 2023 Subaru Outback midsize SUVs for its U.S. customers, and now they are getting aggressive in getting new hires at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana. That's good news for new Outback customers.

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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: main image Maita Subaru