Are Subaru's Crazy Tight Inventory Levels Improving? Here Is What You Can Expect This Year

There's good news for all-wheel-drive vehicle shoppers. Are you looking to buy a 2023 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, or another new all-wheel-drive model this year? A recent report from Automotive News (by subscription) says Subaru of America executives said at the Subaru meetings at the NADA show last week that its U.S. dealers can expect at least some relief from crazy tight inventory levels in the coming year as production levels increase.

Subaru of America still has the tightest new car inventory among car brands in the U.S. in 2023. An updated report from Automotive News revealed on January 1, 2023, Subaru's U.S. new model supply stood at eight days. It dropped from December 1, 2022, when they had a nine-day supply. But things are finally turning for the Japanese automaker.

photo credit: Patrick Subaru

Subaru of America President and CEO Tom Doll told Automotive News after the brand's dealer meetings that Subaru is forecasting a roughly 8 percent gain to 600,000 sales in 2023 as production constraints ease. Subaru sold 556,581 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 and last topped 600,000 in 2020.

"There's still very strong demand out there," Doll said, adding that Subaru dealers had done an excellent job managing consumer expectations through the industry's supply shortages.

photo credit: Patrick Subaru

Dealers also got a "peek behind the curtain" at the next-generation 2025 Outback midsize SUV, which is due to arrive in the U.S. in 2025, said Jeff Williams, owner of Williams Subaru in Lansing, Michigan. Read about the new Outback report here.

Subaru Corporation recently announced that production at its Gunma plant in Japan, where they manufacture the Forester compact SUV and Crosstrek subcompact SUV, is up 30.8 percent, the ninth consecutive month of increase.

But Subaru also announced production of the Subaru Outback, Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy was down 21.9 percent in December, the second consecutive month of decrease. The production decrease is due to the ongoing shortage of new parts at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana.

What's next for Subaru customers?

Subaru will uncover the all-new next-generation U.S. specification 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV to customers who attend the Chicago Auto Show this week. The show runs from February 11-20.

Subaru of America will launch the all-new next-generation 2024 Impreza hatchback this spring. The Impreza gets a remodel from the ground up. Subaru says they expect the new compact 5-door hatch to attract new buyers who have yet to purchase a Subaru vehicle.

Stay tuned to Subaru Report via Torque News for reports on the two new models.

Will you be buying a new 2023 or 2024 Subaru model this year? Let us know in the comment section below.

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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