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A Subaru Plant Shutdown Could Affect New Forester Production

There has been a Subaru plant shutdown following the death of a worker on a production line. The plant shutdown could affect Subaru Forester's production. See how it may affect customers this winter.
2024 Subaru Forester

New reports from Japan say the Subaru plant, where the Japanese automaker manufactures the Forester compact SUV, was shut down temporarily following the death of a worker on a production line in a plant in Ota, Japan.

There are few details about the worker's death. Here is what Nippon News reported this week. 

2024 Subaru Forester side view

photo credit: Tucson Subaru 

"Subaru Corporation has suspended production at three plants in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, people familiar with the matter said Friday."

"The Japanese automaker has been conducting safety checks following the death of a worker on a production line in a plant in Ota, one of the three Subaru plants, on Tuesday, the unidentified person said."

"Subaru has been prioritizing offering support to the worker's family and other plant workers, a company official said."

2024 Subaru Forester fron view

photo credit: Tucson Subaru 

Subaru manufactures the 2024 Subaru Forester compact SUV in its Japanese plant, but the new model change will happen soon.

Subaru will start production of the next-generation 2025 Forester compact SUV. How the plant shutdown will affect the all-new sixth-generation Subaru Forester is still unclear.

2025 Subaru Forester on display

The 2025 Forester gets a complete remodel with updated exterior styling, interior upgrades, and technology improvements.

The 2025 Subaru Forester is scheduled to arrive at U.S. retailers this spring. Stay tuned, and I will bring any further Subaru paint shutdown details as they become available. 

In an unrelated story, the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant, manufacturing the Outback, Crosstrek, Ascent, And Legacy, has a new Chairman and CEO. 

Nobuyuki Bando has been appointed Chairman and CEO, succeeding Ryota Fukumizu, who is returning to Japan to serve as Chief General Manager of the Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Division. The change is effective April 1, 2024.  

Under the new structure, Subaru said that Scott Brand will be president and COO of Subaru of Indiana Automotive and report to Bando. 

Bando will lead Subaru's North American manufacturing operations in his new role through the automotive industry's "once-in-a-century period of transformation," ensuring alignment with Subaru's "One Subaru" global vision.

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

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

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Watch 2025 Subaru Forester World Premiere First Look

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.

I’ve got you covered! - I cover all Subaru all the time - It’s called the “Subaru Report.” Check back daily for my expert Subaru analysis!

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photo credit: Tucson Subaru 

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