Subaru Forester, Crosstrek Production Comes To A Halt Due To A Worker's Death

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The Subaru Forester and Crosstrek production has been shut down. Here is an update from my previous report.

I reported earlier this week that Subaru Corporation shut down Forester production at its Japanese plant. There is new information on the plant shutdown from a new report by Automotive News (by subscription).  

Three Subaru plants in Japan have suspended production after a 35-year veteran worker was crushed to death, Japanese media reported. The production includes factories that manufacture the Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza BRZ, and WRX for export to the U.S. and Canada. 

The accident happened on February 13, after a 25-ton mold fell on a worker at the Yajima assembly plant in Gunma prefecture north of Tokyo. The reports come from Nikkei and Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun reported. As of February 16, it still needs to be clarified when production will resume.

The reports say a police spokesman in Ota, the city where the Yajima factory is located, confirmed details of the death. Police identified the worker as a 60-year-old man who was a 35-year veteran of Subaru Corporation.

The local Jomo Shimbun reported that the man was operating a crane using a remote control to lift and move 25-ton molds. One of the molds collapsed, pinning the worker between another mold. An autopsy determined the cause of death as asphyxiation.

The shutdown affects three plants in Subaru’s central production hub in the Gunma region.

Where the accident occurred, the Yajima assembly plant manufactures the Impreza compact hatchback, the Outback (Japanese-spec), Forester, and Crosstrek (Base and Premium U.S.-spec) SUVs. The nearby Main plant makes the BRZ sport coupe, Impreza compact hatchback and Crosstrek (Japanese-spec), the WRX sports car, and the Levorg sportswagon. 

Also affected was the local Oizumi engine and transmission plant, the report said.

MY TAKE

Subaru customers in the U.S. and Canada could experience delays with the new Forester (next-generation 2025), Crosstrek, Impreza, BRZ, and WRX models manufactured in Japan. However, the plant shutdown occurred just as production was improving. Stay tuned. 

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed the Subaru plant shutdown story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

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I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: Subaru DR