Like many other Japanese automakers, Subaru was badly hit by currency fluctuations, so a "build them where you sell them" policy began being implemented. And now, that also affects the Impreza, as the all-new generation of the compact sedan and hatchback is rolling off the line in Indiana.
The factory in Lafayette has been making cars for the past three decades. Subaru also locally assembles the Legacy and Outback for the North American market. But regular compacts usually don't get special treatment due to lack of profitability.
Demand for the Impreza has been steadily rising in the US, and the new generation reflects a growing trend for premium features and build quality offered on smaller cars.
To accommodate the 2017 Impreza in Indiana, the overall capacity of the factory has risen from 218,000 to 394,000 units annually. However, it's said to reach 436,000 units by March 2019, as a 3-row crossover successor to the Tribeca will be launched.
So far in 2016, the Impreza only managed to sell 48,080 units in America, about a third of what the Forester and Outback achieve. However, that number doesn't include the Impreza-derived Crosstrek model (over 77,000 units).
“In a time when some manufacturers are moving work out of the United States, we’re proud to be bringing Subaru Impreza production to the heartland of America,” said Tom Easterday, Senior Executive Vice President of SIA. “The move has allowed us to create hundreds of new jobs not only at SIA, but also at our suppliers in Indiana and across the country.”
The all-new Impreza comes in sedan and 5-door versions and will be reaching retailers in the next few weeks. Pricing begins at $100 over the previous model year at $18,395.
While the latest Impreza is not as monotonous as its predecessor, the overall design is not as sporty as the Honda Civic or Mazda3. However, sobriety and reliability are especially valuable to Subaru's somewhat older customers.
Something else you might not like about the 2017 Impreza is the lack of a turbo engine. The Chevy Cruze, VW Golf, Ford Focus and Honda Civic all have one, but Subaru is sticking to its roots.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News