Subaru Plant Won’t Resume Full Operations Now Until May 18

The Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana where they make the newly-redesigned 2020 Subaru Outback wagon and all-new 2020 Ascent 3-Row family hauler announced it will take longer than expected to get fully up to speed. The last update from Subaru Indiana Automotive (SIA) said the plant would be shut down until May 8 and resume operations Monday, May 11. Now SIA is saying plant operations are not expected to resume fully until May 18, a week later.

SIA says, “In response to supply chain challenges related to COVID-19, SIA plans to start reopening operations on May 11. Full operations are expected to resume on May 18.” All automakers are trying to get their assembly lines rolling as soon as possible but need to consider the safety of its employees first.

2020 Subaru Outback

A recent interview of Subaru of America President and CEO Tom Doll says SIA’s 6,000 plant employees have been put on furlough until May 11. Employees have not received pay since the U.S. plant shut down on March 23. Tom Doll says employees were put on furlough but will continue to receive benefits and their health coverage stays in effect.

In addition to the 2020 Outback wagon and 2020 Ascent family hauler, the Japanese automaker also makes the Impreza compact sedan and 5-Door hatchback, and Legacy sedan at the Indiana plant. The four Subaru models built in the U.S. supply customers in North America. Subaru extended the plant shut down because of declining market demand and supply chain issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.

2020 Subaru Ascent

Because sales have dropped, Subaru is now offering special deals on 2020 Forester, Outback, and Ascent models. Subaru of America could be offering better deals in the coming months, and it could be best for SUV shoppers to wait.

Subaru is expected to announce its April sales and they are expected to drop significantly as many Subaru dealers have closed for many days during the month. The 2020 Subaru Forester compact SUV, Outback wagon, and Ascent family hauler are three of the best-selling models in the all-wheel-drive lineup. We will have a report out as soon as Subaru of America gives the latest sales numbers.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his reports are archived on our Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Subaru Report. Check back tomorrow for more Subaru news and updates at Torque News!

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Photo credit: Subaru USA, Subaru Indiana Automotive