Subaru’s Most American Made Vehicle Is Not The New Redesigned Outback

Does the 2023 Subaru Outback, 2023 Ascent, 2023 Impreza, or 2023 Legacy have the most American-made parts? All four models are manufactured at Subaru's U.S. plant, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, and a new study reveals they are created mostly equal with the percentage of U.S.-made parts.

The new Kogod School of Business 2022 Made in America Auto Index is out, revealing the 2023 Subaru Outback is not the most American-made model. In last year's study, the Outback moved up seven spots. This year's ranking shows the 2023 Ascent and 2023 Legacy are just ahead of the Outback, with the Impreza ranked last.

photo credit: Subaru of San Bernardino

Since 1994 the American Automobile Labeling Act has required automakers to include content information on vehicle labels for cars and trucks produced for the U.S. American University's Kogod School of Business studies manufacturers and vehicles with the most American parts. In the latest data, Ford tops the list, with the Lincoln Corsair scoring number one with seventy-two percent U.S. content.

Where does Subaru's U.S. model lineup rank in the percentage of U.S. parts?

In the new 2022 study, the 2023 Subaru Ascent has ranked just ahead of the Legacy, Outback, and Impreza. All four models rank fifty-fourth overall among models made in the U.S. Each has 45 percent U.S./Canada content. The study does not say why Ascent is first on the listing.

The U.S.-made models have parts shipped from Japan

The domestic content would be higher, but all four U.S.-made Subaru models import their major drivetrain parts, engine, and transmissions from Japan. The report says the Subaru Outback, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy have 25 percent of their body, interior, and electrical parts made with U.S. parts.

The 2023 Outback, Legacy, and Impreza are also manufactured in Japan, but those models are for Japanese customers and shipped to Subaru's global markets in Australia, Asia, and Europe.

Where do the Forester and Crosstrek rank?

The number-one-selling Subaru model in North America is the 2023 Crosstrek. The Crosstrek subcompact SUV, Forester compact SUV, WRX performance sedan, and BRZ sports coupe are all built at the Japan plant and have minimal U.S. parts. Because they are not manufactured in the U.S., they are not included in the Kogod School of Business study.

Recent studies show the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX have about one percent of their parts made in America. The study did not list the Subaru BRZ sports coupe.

Subaru Indiana Automotive manufactures 35 percent of Subaru's total vehicle global output. Approximately 50 percent of all Subaru models sold in North America are built in Lafayette, Indiana. Subaru Corporation invested $140 million to support the production of the Subaru Ascent 3-Row family hauler that started production in 2018 for the all-new 2019 Ascent model year.

Will Subaru manufacture the new Solterra EV in the U.S.?

The Japanese automaker recently reported soaring U.S. labor costs will keep them from investing in a new all-electric vehicle plant in the U.S. It's because they are now competing against a McDonald's hamburger franchise on wages outside its assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Read the new report below.

The new Kogod School of Business 2022 Made in America Auto Index reveals the 2023 Subaru Ascent is just ahead of the 2023 Legacy, 2023 Outback, and 2023 Impreza, with all having forty-five percent of their total parts made in America.

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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 of San Bernardino