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Subaru Suspends New Forester And Crosstrek Production Again

The plant in Japan where the 2022 Subaru Forester and Crosstrek are made will shut down again. See what it means for customers.

Subaru Corporation announced today another plant shutdown that will affect two of Subaru of America’s most shopped models. The 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV and Crosstrek subcompact SUV will see more production delays. The Japanese automaker says it will temporarily suspend production at its automobile manufacturing facilities in Japan due to interruptions in the supply of certain parts because of the global microchip shortage.

Subaru’s main automobile plant and Yajima plant in Gunma, Japan, and its Oizumi engine and transmission plant will shut down September 7-10, 2021. The four-day loss of production will further slow the number of new cars available for U.S. customers. Subaru also makes the WRX, WRX STI, and BRZ sports cars at the plant in Gunma.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness

The September plant shutdown follows another production stoppage for one day on July 16, 2021, due to more 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.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness

Subaru now has the tightest inventory of any automaker at six days supply. This includes vehicles in transit from Japan and the plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The number one selling Forester and number three Crosstrek are hard to find, and inventory levels have dwindled before the new 2022 models arrive.

Subaru Corporation recently announced the Japan-spec 2022 Forester model change and upgrades. The compact SUV gets a refresh in year four of its production cycle with a new front facia, grill, and headlights. Subaru of America has not yet announced the 2022 Forester lineup for U.S. customers.

2022 Subaru Forester, 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
The 2022 Forester Wilderness makes its global debut September 2

When will Subaru Forester and Crosstrek inventory improve?

The four-day plant shutdown in Japan will affect Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, and WRX STI inventory this fall. Reports from sources close to Subaru tell us it could be late September into October before inventory levels improve and possibly six months before they return to normal. The September 7-10 shutdown will delay it further.

Subaru of America announced the 2022 Forester Wilderness sub-brand would make its global debut tomorrow, September 2, at 9 am EST. Subaru will reveal the all-new Forester Wilderness trim online. Stay tuned to Torque News for a full report.

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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