Subaru Struggles To Get Its New Model Production Back On Track

Subaru Corporation announced new vehicle production for Japan and the U.S. models. See what it means for U.S. customers this summer.

You're not alone if you're wondering why the new 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek SUVs are so hard to find. Subaru of America's new model inventory shortage can be attributed to the coronavirus pandemic and supply chain disruptions. COVID-19 brought the economy to a halt in 2020, and automakers, including Subaru Corporation, canceled orders for semiconductor chips they use in their new models.

Subaru has shut down its auto plants in Japan five times in 2022 and struggles with getting new car production back on track. Subaru Corporation released its report for March 2022, and the results show a steady drop in production in Japan and a small glimmer of hope for Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

Subaru reports production in Japan, where the automaker manufactures the refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, and BRZ for U.S. customers, had a second consecutive month of decrease.

Subaru says the new model exports from Japan decreased due to the production suspensions and adjustments in response to the interruptions in certain parts supplies due to the global shortage of semiconductors. Its also due to the suspension of supplier factories damaged by the Tohoku-region earthquake in March. Production in Japan decreased 21.8 percent in March and is down 16.0 percent from the previous year.

There is a small glimmer of hope for Subaru's U.S. plant, Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), where they manufacture the 2023 Subaru Outback midsize SUV, Ascent 3-Row SUV, Impreza compact car, and Legacy sedan. In March, SIA's production increased 30.1 percent, the first increase in four months.

Subaru Corporation says, "U.S. production (Subaru of Indiana Automotive) increased as production adjustments due to the global shortage of semiconductors was smaller than the same month of last year."

What can Subaru customers expect this summer?

Customers in the U.S. will see the tightest supplies for the 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV and 2022 Crosstrek subcompact SUV, 2022 Subaru WRX performance sedan, and 2022 Subaru BRZ sports coupe. Subaru Corporation says, "It's a result of the plant shutdowns and adjustments in response to the delays in certain parts supplies due to the spread of the coronavirus in Southeast Asia and the global shortage of semiconductors."

Subaru of Indiana Automotive is better positioned where the newly-refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback, 2022 Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy are manufactured. There will continue to be tight supplies of all new models through 2022.

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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