Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Subaru's manufacturing plant in the United States.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Subaru of Indiana Automotive is Subaru's manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Indiana, producing models like Outback, Legacy, and Ascent. It is a key production base for Subaru in North America.
History
Subaru of Indiana Automotive originated in Subaru and Isuzu's decision to share a new American manufacturing facility. Fuji Heavy Industries, then Subaru's parent company, and Isuzu Motors signed their joint-venture agreement on May 29, 1986. The proposed operation, initially called Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, was located in Lafayette, Indiana, between Indianapolis and Chicago. Indiana supported the project with approximately $86 million in incentives. The plant was completed in late 1988 and began regular vehicle production on September 11, 1989. The first vehicles assembled at Lafayette were the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu Pickup. The facility's planned annual capacity was about 240,000 vehicles, giving the partners a substantial platform for serving North American customers. Subaru also considered exporting a limited quantity of Indiana-built Legacy vehicles to Taiwan. During the early 1990s and early 2000s, the plant's output expanded to include the Isuzu Rodeo, Honda Passport, Isuzu Amigo, and Isuzu Axiom, alongside Subaru products. The Honda vehicles were closely related to Isuzu models and were produced under badge-engineering arrangements. Isuzu's weakening sales eventually led to the end of the original ownership structure. On January 1, 2003, Subaru bought Isuzu's interest in the venture for one dollar and renamed the facility Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Isuzu-derived production continued temporarily, with the Rodeo, Amigo, and Axiom remaining in the lineup until July 23, 2004. The plant then became increasingly centered on Subaru vehicles. Its Subaru portfolio included the Legacy, Outback, Baja, Tribeca, and later the Impreza. SIA also assembled the Toyota Camry under contract from February 28, 2007, through May 27, 2016. Subaru ended that work as rising demand for its own vehicles required more factory capacity. The plant subsequently concentrated on Subaru's expanding crossover and sport-utility range. The Ascent entered production in 2018, the Crosstrek followed in 2023, and the Forester was listed for production from 2025. Legacy production was listed through September 2025, while Outback production continued until approximately October 2025. Environmental performance became a major part of SIA's identity. On May 4, 2004, the facility became the first automobile manufacturer in the United States reported to achieve zero-landfill status. The company continued to promote this operating model while increasing production. In 2019, it celebrated 30 years of manufacturing, its six-millionth vehicle overall, its four-millionth Subaru vehicle, and ten years as a zero-landfill facility. With Subaru's growth in the United States, SIA became a critical source of North American supply. The plant was described as Subaru's only manufacturing facility outside Asia and was expected to produce approximately 410,000 vehicles in fiscal 2020–21. The site has also typically offered guided public tours on selected Mondays and Wednesdays, excluding seasonal shutdown periods.
- 2025
Forester production scheduled
[1]The Forester is listed as entering production at SIA in October 2025.
- 2023
Crosstrek production begins
[1]The Subaru Crosstrek is added to the Lafayette production lineup on May 17.
- 2019
Multiple production and environmental anniversaries
[1]SIA marks 30 years of manufacturing, its six-millionth vehicle overall, its four-millionth Subaru, and ten years as a zero-landfill facility.
- 2018
Ascent production starts
[1]The Subaru Ascent enters production at SIA on May 7.
- 2016
Camry production ends
[1]Toyota Camry assembly ends on May 27 as factory capacity is redirected toward Subaru production.
- 2007
Toyota Camry contract production begins
[1]SIA begins assembling the Toyota Camry under contract, adding a non-Subaru model to its production portfolio.
- 2004
Zero-landfill milestone
[1]SIA is reported to become the first automobile manufacturer in the United States to achieve zero-landfill status.
- 2003
Subaru takes full ownership
[1]Subaru acquires Isuzu's interest for one dollar and renames the operation Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
- 1989
Lafayette production begins
[1]The completed plant starts assembling the Subaru Legacy and Isuzu Pickup on September 11.
- 1986
Subaru and Isuzu establish a manufacturing joint venture
[1]Fuji Heavy Industries and Isuzu Motors sign an agreement to create Subaru-Isuzu Automotive and develop a shared vehicle plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
Products and positioning
A high-volume, environmentally focused North American manufacturing operation supporting Subaru's localized production strategy.
Passenger car · 1989
Subaru Legacy
The Legacy was among SIA's launch products and began production at Lafayette in 1989. It remained a core locally produced Subaru model for decades, with the referenced production history listing assembly through September 2025.
Crossover wagon · 1999
Subaru Outback
The Outback joined the Indiana-built Subaru range in 1999. Its combination of passenger-car and utility attributes fit the crossover-oriented direction of Subaru's North American manufacturing portfolio. The referenced history lists production until approximately October 2025.
Three-row SUV · 2018
Subaru Ascent
The Ascent entered SIA production on May 7, 2018. Its addition represented the plant's role in supporting Subaru's larger North American sport-utility vehicle strategy.
Crossover SUV · 2023
Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek was added to SIA's production mix on May 17, 2023, extending local manufacturing into one of Subaru's compact crossover lines.
Compact SUV · 2025
Subaru Forester
The Forester is listed as entering SIA production in October 2025, further emphasizing the plant's concentration on Subaru's crossover and SUV portfolio.
Passenger car · 2007
Toyota Camry
SIA assembled the Toyota Camry under contract from February 2007 until May 2016. The program temporarily diversified the plant beyond Subaru and ended when Subaru required the space for its own expanding production.
Brand decisions
2016
Capacity returned to Subaru vehiclesStrategyBackground
Increasing demand for Subaru vehicles in North America created a need for additional dedicated production capacity.
Action taken
SIA ended Toyota Camry assembly and used the available space for higher Subaru production.
Aftermath
The plant's portfolio increasingly emphasized Subaru crossovers and sport-utility vehicles, including the Ascent, Crosstrek, and Forester.
2007
Contract production of the Toyota CamryStrategyBackground
The production agreement provided an additional use for SIA's manufacturing capacity and broadened the facility's customer base.
Action taken
SIA began assembling Toyota Camry vehicles in February 2007.
Aftermath
Camry production ended in May 2016 when Subaru redirected space toward its own growing vehicle lineup.
2003
Subaru acquires Isuzu's joint-venture interestM&ABackground
Isuzu vehicle sales had declined, weakening the rationale for maintaining the original shared ownership structure.
Action taken
Subaru purchased Isuzu's interest for one dollar and changed the facility's name to Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
Aftermath
Isuzu-derived vehicles continued for a limited period, but the plant subsequently developed into a primarily Subaru-focused manufacturing site.
Sources2 sources
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