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Subaru Corporation just announced another plant shutdown that will affect two of Subaru of America's most shopped models. The newly-refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV and Crosstrek subcompact SUV will now see more production delays. Torque News reported on September 1, Subaru would temporarily suspend production in Japan from September 7-10, 2021.
Subaru just announced production at its automobile manufacturing facilities in Japan will now suspend operation from September 7-17, 2021, an additional five days, bringing the total to nine days. The 2022 Forester and Crosstrek will resume production on Monday, September 20, 2021.
The extended plant shutdown is due to interruptions in parts supply because of the global microchip shortage. The shutdown affects Subaru's main automobile plant and Yajima plant in Gunma, Japan, and its Oizumi engine and transmission plant.
What does the production shutdown mean for U.S. customers?
The nine-day loss of production will further slow the number of newly-refreshed 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV, Crosstrek subcompact SUV, WRX, and WRX STI performance sedans, and BRZ sports coupes made in Japan and shipped to U.S. Subaru retailers.
The new nine-day September plant shutdown follows another production stoppage for one day on July 16, 2021, due to shortages of semiconductor microchips.
Torque News reported in April the Subaru Yajima Plant in Gunma, Japan, suspended production April 10–27, 2021. TN also noted that the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana, shut down between March 25 and April 1, 2021. Both plant shutdowns are affecting inventory shortages for U.S. customers. We reached out to Subaru of Indiana Automotive and have not heard if the U.S. plant will also shut down in September.
The number one selling Subaru Forester and number three selling Crosstrek are already in short supply, and inventory levels have dwindled before the new 2022 models arrive.
Subaru of America recently announced the refreshed 2022 Forester model change and upgrades for its U.S. customers, but the plant shutdown will push the retailer launch date out even further.
When will Subaru Forester and Crosstrek inventory improve?
Japan's additional nine-day plant shutdown will affect 2022 Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI, and BRZ inventory this fall and winter. It could be late October into November before inventory levels improve and possibly six months or longer before new car inventory returns to normal.
You Might Also Like: The Complete 2022 Subaru Forester Model Guide - Which Trim Is Best For You?
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 USA, Subaru Corporation
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