REPORT: Subaru's Lafayette Indiana plant produces three millionth car
2010 Subaru Outback – Click above for high-res image gallery
There's cause for celebration in Lafayette, Indiana, and it's not because the Colts are 3-0. The Indianapolis Star reports that Subaru has built its three millionth American made vehicle at its Lafayette facility; a silver Outback 2.5i. Over 9,000 workers were involved in reaching the production milestone, and nearly 3,500 workers are currently employed at the facility.
Subaru needed a longish 20 years to achieve its latest production milestone, and even then it got a hand from Toyota, since the Camry is currently being built there. Subaru's only U.S. plant had a peak production output of 216,198 back in 1998, but sagging auto sales has conspired to cut production down to an expected 158,000 this year in spite of the fact that the all-wheel drive Japanese automaker has perhaps its best lineup ever and some of the strongest sales figures industry-wide. Production could increase in the short term, though, as Cash for Clunkers has drained Subaru inventory down to 16 days worth of cars and crossovers, down from its typical 60-70 day supply. Subaru sold a record 28,863 vehicles in August.
Gallery: 2010 Subaru Outback
[Source: Indianapolis Star]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thritter 4:49PM (9/30/2009)
As the proud owner of a dorky-looking '99 Subaru Forester, I have to say that Subaru has perfected the art of making dorky-looking cars -- with no end in sight, apparently.
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akboss302 6:50PM (9/30/2009)
Good job! Dorky, but amazing. Subaru's are for people that 'see past the ugly' to the gem inside.
TonyInMI 9:46PM (9/30/2009)
Right on akboss302! Personally I don't see them as ugly/dorky but I guess I am in the minority.
tankd0g 12:56AM (10/01/2009)
At least they had personality in '99, now I have to squint to see if it's a Mazda or a Dodge I'm looking at.
ZachM 4:50PM (9/30/2009)
Over 9,000 workers were involved in reaching the production milestone,...
Thats a lot of people to build one car.
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BigWill 5:23PM (9/30/2009)
Maybe it's a UAW plant.
Ligor 5:41PM (9/30/2009)
I'm assuming the 9000 includes all suppliers as well
starting from teh screw's and fasteners to shipping of those parts and those that build it in line
they do add up
Vegeta 6:12PM (9/30/2009)
WHAT!?!
9000!?!
the4thheat 7:27PM (9/30/2009)
OVER NINE THOUSAND!??!?
Dan 4:53PM (9/30/2009)
"but sagging auto sales has conspired to cut production down to an expected 158,000 this year in spite of the fact that the all-wheel drive Japanese automaker has perhaps its best lineup ever and some of the strongest sales figures industry-wide."
The best and best selling parts of that line up are the Impreza and Impreza based Forester. Which are made in Japan.
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Bob-omb 5:01PM (9/30/2009)
Uh, what's your point, Dan? This article is about the 3 millionth American-built Subaru.
Wolf 4:57PM (9/30/2009)
As a previous (and probably future) Subaru owner, I say Congratulations!
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BoxerFanatic 5:01PM (9/30/2009)
Congrats.
Now I wish the design department could get a good looking car through, for them to build...
2010 Legacy/Outback and Toyota Camry are not good looking.
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akboss302 6:48PM (9/30/2009)
Nah, then everybody would buy them! That's the great thing, you see an '02 WRX and you say 'man, that's ugly'...but then the driver hammers down and g-o-n-e.
TonyInMI 9:50PM (9/30/2009)
I guess I am in the minority - I think the new Legacy looks great -
Now they just need to slide that boxer back in front of the rear wheels - that should be the new coupe - ditch Toyota altogether.
Jon Brewer 5:02PM (9/30/2009)
As a former Purdue student (also located in Lafayette), I've driven by the Subaru plant countless times (you can see it off of I-65 right before the lafayette exits). Nice to see some good local news on AB.
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FThorn 5:16PM (9/30/2009)
You can't REALLY be a Purdue student if you say it's located in LAFAYETTE! Shame on you. Now POTFH!
alex 5:44PM (9/30/2009)
BTFU! Didn't it just kill you to see those Subaru commercials touting their zero landfill plant located on a wild life preserve, with the deer running around like the plant was located in a damn national park? every time i saw those ads i wanted to yell "that plant is surrounded by a massive parking lot, surrounded by acres of clear cut land, next to a damn highway!!!!!!"
See yall at homecoming this weekend
Ben 10:19PM (9/30/2009)
Breakfast club at Jake's 7 am?
FThorn 5:14PM (9/30/2009)
WOW! One of my suggested stories made it!
Thanks Autobloggers! Now, when is our annual dinner for such contributors? :)
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