Subaru cars are primarily made in Japan and the United States, with the main production facilities located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Subaru vehicles are known for their boxer engines, symmetrical all wheel drive systems, and a strong reputation for safety and reliability in all weather conditions.
The company behind the brand is Subaru Corporation, an independent publicly traded Japanese automaker that was previously known as Fuji Heavy Industries until 2017.
Knowing where your Subaru is built helps you understand the quality standards, manufacturing heritage, and engineering philosophy behind every vehicle on the road.
This article covers Subaru’s manufacturing locations, which models are built in Japan versus the United States, the brand’s ownership structure, and what is coming next for Subaru production.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Subaru Cars?
Subaru is made by Subaru Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese automaker headquartered in Tokyo. The company was previously known as Fuji Heavy Industries until it officially changed its name to Subaru Corporation in 2017.
Toyota holds approximately 20% of Subaru Corporation’s shares, making it the largest single shareholder. That stake enables collaboration and gives Toyota influence, but it does not make Subaru a Toyota subsidiary.
The partnership has produced jointly developed vehicles such as the Subaru Solterra and the Toyota bZ4X, which share the same electric vehicle platform. Outside of those collaborations, Subaru designs, engineers, and builds its vehicles independently.
Where Are Subarus Primarily Made?
Subaru’s main manufacturing base is in Ota, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The Gunma facilities include the Yajima plant and several supporting sites, with the Yajima plant handling the brand’s larger models.
The Gunma complex produces models including the WRX, BRZ, select Crosstrek trims, and the 2026 Outback, which moved from Indiana to Japan in 2025. These plants collectively employ thousands of workers and handle both domestic and export production.
Japan remains Subaru’s primary manufacturing home and the origin of its engineering identity. The boxer engine and symmetrical all wheel drive system that define every Subaru were developed and continue to be refined here.
Which Subarus Are Made in the United States?
The Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Indiana is the only Subaru factory outside Asia. It opened in 1989 on a site spanning 820 acres and celebrated the production of its 7 millionth vehicle in 2023.
As of the 2026 model year, the Indiana plant assembles the Ascent three row SUV, the Forester, and the Crosstrek Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims. The full breakdown of which Subaru models are assembled in America is published on Subaru’s official website.
The plant achieved zero landfill status early in its history, ensuring all manufacturing waste is recycled, reused, or converted to energy. It remains one of the most sustainable automotive facilities in the United States.
Which Subaru Models Are Made in Japan?
Japan handles all of Subaru’s performance and compact models. The WRX and BRZ are assembled at the Gunma facilities, as are the base and premium Crosstrek trims, the Crosstrek Hybrid, and the Impreza.
The Solterra, Subaru’s electric SUV, is built at Toyota’s Motomachi plant in Aichi, Japan, a result of the shared platform it uses alongside the Toyota bZ4X. The 2026 Outback also returned to Japan, assembled at the Yajima plant in Gunma for the first time since the late 1990s.
The Legacy, which was assembled in Indiana for decades, was discontinued entirely. Its final production run at the Lafayette plant concluded in September 2025.
Does Toyota Make Subaru Cars?
No. Toyota does not make Subaru cars and is not Subaru’s parent company. Subaru Corporation is a fully independent, publicly traded company that operates its own factories and controls its own engineering and design decisions.
Toyota’s 20% shareholding is a strategic investment that reflects a long standing partnership, not ownership. Subaru’s management, board, and product direction are controlled internally without Toyota instruction.
The two companies collaborate on specific projects, most notably shared electric vehicle platforms. Outside of those agreements, the vast majority of Subaru’s lineup has no Toyota involvement.
Subaru vs Toyota vs Honda: Where Does Each Brand Build Its Cars?
All three are Japanese brands, but each has a very different manufacturing footprint. Subaru builds its core lineup in Gunma, Japan, with a major US plant in Indiana. Toyota manufactures across Japan and operates an extensive network of plants in the US, including facilities in Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, and Texas.
Honda builds vehicles in Japan and the US, with a major plant in Marysville, Ohio that has assembled Accords for decades. All three brands have shifted some production to serve the markets closest to where their vehicles sell.
The key distinction with Subaru is scale. Toyota and Honda are among the largest automakers in the world with dozens of plants globally. Subaru is far more concentrated, with only one facility outside Asia, and its products reflect that focused, single minded manufacturing approach.
What Is Next for Subaru Manufacturing?
Subaru is restructuring its Indiana plant to support electric vehicle production. Moving the Outback to Japan was a direct result of that plan, freeing factory space at Lafayette for new EV models expected in the near term.
The brand has announced the Trailseeker, a new electric SUV built for the North American market, which is expected to be assembled at the Indiana plant. This positions SIA as a central hub for Subaru’s North American EV strategy going forward.
In Japan, a new Subaru facility in Kitamoto has been tooled to produce hybrid drivetrains and powertrains. It is the first Subaru plant in Japan outside of Gunma Prefecture and signals a broader shift in how the brand intends to build its next generation of vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Subarus Are Made
Is Subaru owned by Toyota?
No. Subaru Corporation is an independent publicly traded company. Toyota holds approximately 20% of its shares, making it the largest single shareholder, but that is a minority stake that does not give Toyota ownership or management control over Subaru.
What is the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant?
It is the only Subaru factory outside Asia, located in Lafayette, Indiana. The plant opened in 1989 and currently assembles the Ascent, Forester, and select Crosstrek trims for the North American market. It is also one of the first automotive plants in the US to achieve zero landfill status.
Where is the Subaru Solterra made?
The Solterra is built at Toyota‘s Motomachi plant in Aichi, Japan. It shares a platform with the Toyota bZ4X as part of a joint development agreement between Subaru Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation.
Where is the Subaru WRX made?
The Subaru WRX is assembled at Subaru’s Gunma facilities in Japan. It has always been a Japan only build and is not part of the Indiana plant’s production roster. The same applies to the BRZ, which is also assembled exclusively in Japan.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.