Subaru Loses Big In Chip Shortage - New Outback Takes The Biggest Hit

Subaru retailers could sell more 2021 Outback midsize SUVs if they could get them. Automotive News reports, AutoForecast Solutions estimates Subaru of America is the number five automaker in the U.S. in the number of vehicles reduced from North American production schedules due to the global microchip shortage. They report Subaru lost 45,272 cars due to its U.S. plant shutdown.

The popular 2021 Subaru Outback, manufactured at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant, is the Camden, N.J. automaker's biggest loser, with 23,882 models lost to production shutdowns. The Outback is the number eleven most affected vehicle in America behind the Ford F-150, Jeep Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Explorer, Jeep Compass, Ford Edge, Ford Escape, Ford Transit, and Stellantis Voyager.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent is the next most affected vehicle produced at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The Ascent 3-Row family hauler has lost 10,508 units to the global microchip shortage. Along with Outback, it's one of the twenty-eight vehicle models that have lost 10,000 units or more of North American production.

Craig Koven, Subaru of Indiana Automotive Communications and External Relations Manager at the U.S. plant, told Torque News that the Subaru plant shutdown was mainly due to delays in parts arriving via ocean and air freight. The congestion of container vessels at the West Coast ports is also causing shipping delays.

What does it mean for SUV shoppers?

As Subaru makes the model change from 2021 to 2022 Subaru Outback, the Camden, N.J automaker's number two selling model, customers in the U.S. could see the midsize SUV harder to find this summer. Subaru of America has the tightest supply of vehicles of any automaker. Torque News reported Subaru had the tightest inventory at 38 days at the end of February 2021.

With 23,882 2021 Subaru Outback models lost to production shutdowns, customers will likely see short supplies of the popular midsize SUV. This new model loss will affect 2022 Subaru Outback production and the all-new 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness production. The new models are expected to reach retailers this summer. Torque News will bring you further Subaru production updates as we get them.

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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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