Where Are Subaru Vehicles Made in the USA? Exploring Subaru’s Manufacturing and Engine Origins in Lafayette, Indiana

Where Are Subaru Vehicles Made in the USA? Exploring Subaru’s Manufacturing and Engine Origins in Lafayette, Indiana

If you’re a Subaru enthusiast or considering purchasing a Subaru vehicle near St. Louis, MO, understanding where your car is made can offer valuable insight into its quality, craftsmanship, and heritage. Subaru vehicles have a rich history rooted in both Japanese innovation and American manufacturing, with a unique blend of production facilities spanning continents. For drivers in nearby communities such as Crestwood, Webster Groves, and Ladue, this knowledge reinforces the value of choosing Subaru models that combine precision engineering with local assembly.

At 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127, Sunset Hills Subaru proudly offers a broad selection of Subaru vehicles crafted with care and expertise. If you have questions or want to explore our inventory, please call us at (314) 476-9638. Whether you’re interested in a new Subaru Outback, Forester, or Crosstrek, this article will thoroughly explain where these vehicles and their engines are built in the USA, the unique role of Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), and other important details regarding Subaru’s manufacturing footprint.

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Table of Contents

• Subaru Manufacturing Overview: Japan and the U.S. Connection
  Explore Subaru’s global production footprint, highlighting the mix of Japanese craftsmanship and American assembly, with a focus on the Indiana facility.

  
  

• Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA): The Heart of American Subaru Production
  Discover the history, scale, and specific models produced at Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant and its importance to the North American market.

  
  

• Who Makes Subaru Engines in the USA?
  Learn about the origins of Subaru’s iconic boxer engines, the collaboration between Indiana and Japan facilities, and engine assembly details.

  
  

• Which Subaru Models Are Made in Lafayette, Indiana?
  An in-depth look at the specific Subaru models produced at SIA, including the Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Crosstrek.

  
  

• Subaru Production Shifts and the Future of Manufacturing in the U.S.
  Understand planned changes for Subaru manufacturing, including the 2026 Outback production move and how it impacts local jobs and vehicle availability.

  
  

• Why Choose American-Made Subaru Vehicles from Sunset Hills Subaru?
  Reasons why buying a Subaru made in the USA benefits drivers in Missouri and nearby areas, including quality, support, and community impact.

  
  

• Service and Trade-In Options at Sunset Hills Subaru
  How to keep your Subaru running smoothly with local service and parts, plus trade-in resources to get the best value for your current vehicle.

  
  

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Subaru Manufacturing Overview: Japan and the U.S. Connection

Subaru’s manufacturing network is a well-orchestrated system that balances its Japanese heritage with American market demands. Approximately 75% of Subaru vehicles are manufactured in Japan, primarily in Gunma Prefecture, home to four key plants responsible for producing models like the Forester, WRX, BRZ, and the base trims of the Crosstrek and Impreza. These facilities specialize in both vehicle assembly and the production of Subaru’s distinctive boxer engines and transmissions.

Complementing this is Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), located in Lafayette, Indiana, which stands as Subaru’s sole manufacturing plant outside Asia. Established in 1987 as a joint venture with Isuzu and later becoming fully owned by Subaru Corporation in 2003, the SIA plant has grown to be a vital hub producing approximately 300,000 vehicles annually. The SIA plant caters primarily to the North American market, delivering vehicles tailored to the driving preferences and conditions of U.S. customers.

This dual-factory approach allows Subaru to maintain its renowned quality standards while optimizing production and logistics. For drivers in St. Louis, Fenton, and nearby towns, this means many Subaru vehicles on local roads are assembled just a few states away, ensuring better supply chain efficiency and faster delivery times.

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Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA): The Heart of American Subaru Production

The Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant is a sprawling facility covering 2.3 million square feet on an 820-acre site, making it one of Subaru’s largest production centers worldwide. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, this plant is the only Subaru factory outside Japan and the primary source for several key models sold in the United States, including the Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Crosstrek.

Since its opening in 1989, SIA has undergone several expansions and modernizations, reflecting Subaru’s deep commitment to American manufacturing. Its assembly line encompasses stamping, painting, welding, and final vehicle assembly, supported by a workforce of over 6,000 skilled associates dedicated to maintaining Subaru’s standards for safety, durability, and environmental responsibility.

The significance of SIA extends beyond production volume. It serves as a vital economic engine for the Midwest region, supporting not only local jobs but also a network of suppliers and service providers. For drivers in nearby Missouri communities such as Richmond Heights and Ladue, purchasing a Subaru from the SIA plant means supporting American labor and manufacturing while enjoying a vehicle built with global expertise.

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Who Makes Subaru Engines in the USA?

While Subaru assembles vehicles in Indiana, the company’s trademark boxer engines and transmissions are predominantly manufactured at the Oizumi plant in Gunma, Japan. The flat-four and flat-six boxer engines, which provide Subaru vehicles with their characteristic low center of gravity and smooth operation, are produced with meticulous engineering at this dedicated facility.

In the United States, the SIA plant handles assembly of these engines into the vehicles but does not manufacture the engines entirely. This partnership blends the Japanese precision engineering of Subaru motors with American assembly expertise. The transmission, another critical drivetrain component, is similarly produced in Japan and integrated into vehicles at the Indiana plant, ensuring quality and consistency.

This hybrid manufacturing approach allows Subaru to leverage its strengths, combining the best of Japanese engine technology with American assembly efficiency. For customers in St. Charles, MO, and the surrounding region, this means your Subaru engine benefits from global craftsmanship while being assembled locally.

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Which Subaru Models Are Made in Lafayette, Indiana?

Subaru’s Lafayette plant produces some of the brand’s most popular models for the American market, including:

• Subaru Outback: The iconic midsize SUV, known for rugged capability and comfort, is primarily built at SIA for the U.S. market, with some models also produced in Japan.

  
  

• Subaru Legacy: A midsize sedan offering a blend of performance and safety, manufactured at the Indiana plant to meet North American preferences.

  
  

• Subaru Ascent: The brand’s largest SUV, offering three rows of seating, is made exclusively at the Indiana facility, reflecting demand for family-friendly SUVs in the U.S.

  
  

• Subaru Crosstrek (Sport, Limited, Wilderness editions): Since May 2023, the SIA plant began producing the 2.5-liter trims of this subcompact SUV, providing faster delivery and local production benefits.

  
  

This focused production lineup ensures that many Subaru vehicles on roads in Missouri’s Fenton, Valley Park, and Webster Groves neighborhoods are built with American labor and expertise. Additionally, the Indiana plant’s ability to respond quickly to market changes means less waiting time for customers in the region.

For those interested in exploring these models, New Subaru Inventory and Used Vehicle Inventory are available at Sunset Hills Subaru, conveniently located at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127.

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Subaru Production Shifts and the Future of Manufacturing in the U.S.

Looking ahead, Subaru has announced strategic production changes impacting the manufacturing locations of key models. Notably, the 2026 Subaru Outback will transition production from the Lafayette, Indiana plant to Subaru’s Yajima facility in Ota, Gunma, Japan. This shift aligns with Subaru’s broader plan to retool the Indiana plant to focus more heavily on electric vehicle production and other future models designed for the North American market.

While this move represents a change in manufacturing geography, Subaru assures customers that vehicle quality and availability will remain consistent. For Missouri drivers in Chesterfield, Maplewood, and other nearby areas, this means the same trusted Outback model will continue to be available, albeit assembled in Japan.

At the same time, Subaru is expanding production of the Forester compact SUV at SIA starting in 2025, reflecting the popularity of this model in the U.S. market. This evolution demonstrates Subaru’s flexibility and response to changing consumer demands while maintaining a strong American manufacturing presence.

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Why Choose American-Made Subaru Vehicles from Sunset Hills Subaru?

Choosing a Subaru assembled in the U.S. offers several advantages, especially for drivers in the St. Louis metro area and beyond:

• Support Local Economy: Purchasing vehicles built at the SIA plant supports thousands of Indiana and Missouri jobs and a wider network of suppliers and service providers.

  
  

• Quicker Delivery: Locally assembled models often have shorter wait times compared to fully imported vehicles, improving availability for buyers in Crestwood and Richmond Heights.

  
  

• Proven Quality: Subaru’s commitment to quality and durability is upheld regardless of manufacturing location. The blend of Japanese engine craftsmanship and American assembly ensures high standards.

  
  

• Community and Environmental Focus: The SIA plant emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainable manufacturing practices, aligning with Subaru’s broader corporate values.

  
  

For residents of Ladue, Valley Park, and surrounding communities, purchasing at Sunset Hills Subaru means access to new models like the 2025 Subaru Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek, all supported by a knowledgeable team dedicated to customer satisfaction.

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Service and Trade-In Options at Sunset Hills Subaru

Keeping your Subaru in peak condition is essential for safety and longevity. At Sunset Hills Subaru, our Schedule Service and Diagnostics online tool makes booking maintenance appointments simple and convenient. Our service center employs certified technicians who specialize in Subaru vehicles, ensuring genuine care using only authentic Subaru parts. Need replacement parts? Visit our Find Subaru Parts department for a full range of OEM components.

When you’re ready to upgrade, use our Get your value trade tool to quickly assess your current vehicle’s worth. Whether you’re eyeing a new ride from our extensive New Subaru Inventory or exploring quality options in our Used Vehicle Inventory, our team in Sunset Hills is here to help guide you every step of the way.

Take advantage of our Current New Car Specials and Current Service and Parts Specials to get the best value on your Subaru experience.

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Embracing Subaru’s American Legacy in Sunset Hills and Beyond

Subaru’s manufacturing story is one of collaboration, precision, and adaptability. The partnership between Subaru’s Japanese engineering roots and the American craftsmanship found at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Indiana, ensures that Subaru vehicles meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. For Missouri drivers in Sunset Hills, St. Louis, and surrounding communities, this means access to vehicles built with a commitment to quality, safety, and innovation.

Whether you’re interested in the rugged versatility of the Outback, the family-friendly Ascent, or the sporty Crosstrek, you can trust that many of these models are built with care right here in America. Feel free to visit us at 10100 Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127 or call (314) 476-9638 to schedule a test drive or discuss your Subaru needs today.

Discover the advantage of buying American-made Subaru vehicles supported by expert service and genuine parts from your local dealership.

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