Whether you first heard of Subaru from their legendary rally program or their impressively capable wagons and crossovers, Subaru has made a significant impact on the automotive industry and the hearts of drivers. Despite being a relatively small automaker with only five factories globally, Subaru has carved out a sizable niche with millions of fans. Let’s dive into the details of Subaru’s manufacturing plants and explore some important history about this unique automaker.
Subaru’s Manufacturing Plants in Japan
Subaru-chō
Located in Gunma Prefecture, less than a two-hour drive north of Tokyo, Subaru’s main plant is at Subaru-chō. This expansive facility spans over 82 acres and produces the Impreza, WRX, XV (known as Crosstrek in the U.S.), and the Levorg wagon. The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ are also built here. Over 4,500 employees work at this plant, with all models except the BRZ/GR86 twins sharing the same platform.
Yajima Plant
Just a few blocks south of Subaru-chō, the Yajima plant manufactures larger Subaru models, including the Legacy, Forester, and Outback, as well as additional Imprezas and XVs. More than 3,000 employees work here to meet the high demand for these mainstream Subaru vehicles. Like the other Gunma plants, Yajima is located near Mount Akagi, famous from the manga and anime series Initial D.
Ota North Plant
The Ota North Plant, Subaru’s oldest active factory, has a rich history dating back to its predecessor company, Nakajima, which built aircraft during World War II. This plant previously produced the Subaru Sambar kei utility vehicles until about a decade ago. Although it no longer produces vehicles, Subaru now rebadges Daihatsu’s Kei-trucks. The factory still stands, and another division, Subaru Aerospace, continues to produce aircraft components.
Oizumi Plant
The Oizumi plant, about two-thirds the size of Subaru-chō and Yajima, specializes in producing engines and transmissions. This setup streamlines the manufacturing process, allowing fully assembled engines and transmissions to be integrated into vehicles at the other factories.
Subaru’s Global Presence
Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Subaru’s only factory outside Japan is in Indiana, USA. The Subaru of Indiana Automotive factory produces many models sold in the American market and employs over 5,900 workers. Subaru SUVs built here are often designed specifically for American drivers while the company remains headquartered in Japan, maintaining a strong Japanese identity.
Subaru’s Relationship with Toyota
Subaru is a subsidiary of Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries), in which Toyota holds a small stake. While they collaborate on models like the Solterra (built in a Toyota factory) and BRZ, Subaru remains an independent company. In an industry marked by the consolidation of brands, Subaru stands out as an interesting outlier compared to larger groups like Stellantis.
A Japanese Automaker with a Global Reach
Subaru's roots and operations are deeply embedded in Japan, yet its impact is global. From their innovative manufacturing processes to their collaboration with Toyota, Subaru continues to thrive as a beloved automaker with a unique position in the industry.