When Subaru originally agreed to build the Toyota Camry at their Lafayette, Indiana plant, they were a much smaller automaker. Now that they have stopped building the Camry sedan, they can crank up the manufacturing of their own vehicles that are selling well in North America. Subaru builds the 2017 Outback wagon, Legacy sedan and now the all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza sedan and 5-Door production is under way here in the US for the first time.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) invested $140.2 million in new machinery and equipment in addition to the $400 million expansion that is almost completed. SIA who is owned by parent company Fiji Heavy Industries (FHI) said the improvements will go to increase its production capacity by nearly 100,000 units annually to meet the growing demand for Subaru vehicles in North America.
The new 2017 Impreza produced at the Indiana plant is expected to be a big hit when it arrives later this year. Subaru is also getting ready for the new 3-Row crossover, possibly called Ascent 7, that will also be built at the Lafayette plant. It’s replacing the discontinued Tribeca model. Subaru CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said the seven-seat SUV will be built at the Indiana plant starting after 2017. Yoshinaga did not give a specific time frame when production will start. Expect production to start in 2018 and be available in late 2018.
The vacated Toyota Camry production now makes way for SIA to build the all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza that will begin arriving later this year. The new sedan and 5-Door hatchback will feature a new Global Platform, a new factory where it’s built, and lots of new features. Get the latest info on the new Impreza here.
Source: Subaru
Image: Subaru