
Subaru Outbacks sold in the US market are manufactured in Lafayette, Indiana, exclusively for North American customers. The Subaru Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant is the brand's only manufacturing site outside Japan. Meanwhile, Subaru Outbacks sold in the rest of the world, including Australia, are made in Japan. The Outback concept originated with Subaru of America, which was suffering from slumping sales in the mid-1990s. The car was named after the Australian Outback, and the company's marketing campaign featured Australian actor Paul Hogan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where Subaru Outback is made | Lafayette, Indiana, USA (for the North American market) and Ota, Japan (for the rest of the world) |
| Why Subaru Outback is made in the USA and Japan | To support demand and global sales efforts while cutting down on the time and cost of shipping every Subaru from Japan |
| Subaru Outback's connection to Australia | The Outback was named after the Australian Outback and was promoted in commercials featuring Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee") |
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What You'll Learn
- Subaru Outbacks sold in the US are made in Lafayette, Indiana
- Australian Outbacks are made in Japan
- Subaru of America is a subsidiary of the main Subaru Corporation
- The Outback name and marketing campaign contributed to the perception of it being Australian-made
- Other Subaru models made at the SIA plant include the Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy

Subaru Outbacks sold in the US are made in Lafayette, Indiana
Subaru Outback is an important vehicle for Subaru in Australia and the US. The Outback is currently produced in Lafayette, Indiana, in the US. Subaru has operated three plants in two countries, holding fast to high standards and a continuous commitment to producing safe, quality vehicles at an affordable price.
The Subaru Outback was first introduced in 1995 and quickly became popular with outdoor enthusiasts. The Outback is Subaru's flagship model in Japan, but the company also offers a larger crossover called the Ascent, which is built in the US and offers three rows of seating.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) is Subaru's only manufacturing site outside of Asia. The Lafayette facility's state-of-the-art facilities and skilled workforce uphold the values that have guided Subaru throughout its existence: quality, dependability, safety, and innovation. SIA has been recognised for its achievements in safety, quality, and environmental sustainability, becoming the first auto manufacturer in the US to achieve zero-landfill status in 2004.
The Outback models for North America are produced in Lafayette, Indiana, while those for the rest of the world are manufactured and assembled in Ota, Japan, at the Yajimi Plant. Subaru of America, a subsidiary of the main Subaru Corporation, operates as the same company and has overseen production and franchises in the US since 1967.
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Australian Outbacks are made in Japan
Australian Subarus are not made in Australia, despite the name "Outback" and the association with the Australian outback. The Subaru Outback is made in Japan and the United States. The Subaru Outback was first introduced in 1995 and quickly became popular with outdoor enthusiasts due to its rugged performance, excellent safety, and spacious interior.
Subaru of America, a subsidiary of the main Subaru Corporation, manufactures the Outback for the North American market. The Lafayette, Indiana plant supplies the North American market and is the company's only manufacturing site outside of Japan. The Indiana plant opened in 1989 and was built to support demand and global sales efforts while reducing shipping costs from Japan.
The Subaru Outbacks sold in the rest of the world, including Australia, are manufactured and assembled in Ota, Japan, at the Yajimi Plant. This includes all Subaru Outbacks sold in the UK market. The Yajima factory in Japan also produces the Forester, Crosstrek (XV in other global markets), Impreza, and Legacy models.
The Outback originated with Subaru of America, which was experiencing slumping sales in the mid-1990s due to a lack of an entry in the sport utility vehicle market. Subaru added body cladding and a suspension lift to their Legacy wagon and named it the Legacy Outback, after the Australian outback. The name and association with Australia, along with commercials featuring Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee"), likely contributed to the perception that the Subaru Outback is an Australian-made vehicle.
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Subaru of America is a subsidiary of the main Subaru Corporation
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a subsidiary of the main Subaru Corporation, which is based in Japan. SOA is the United States–based distributor of Subaru brand vehicles, parts, and accessories. It markets and distributes these products through a network of over 600 dealers across the United States.
SOA was opened by American businessman Malcom Bricklin in 1967. The company initially focused on selling Subaru franchises, and it established corporate headquarters in the Delaware Valley in 1968. SOA later moved to Camden, New Jersey, in 2018, where it built a new 250,000-square-foot headquarters.
In addition to its marketing and distribution role, SOA plays a minor part in designing vehicles for the US market. It works with the main Subaru Corporation and Subaru Research and Development to convey American consumer preferences. SOA's involvement in vehicle design is one way in which it upholds the values of quality, dependability, safety, and innovation that have guided the Subaru brand.
SOA's primary manufacturing site is the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana. This facility is the home of North American Subaru production and employs over 5,600 workers. The SIA plant is known for its commitment to sustainability, having achieved a zero-landfill production designation. While the plant primarily serves the North American market, it also ships vehicles to Canada and other countries for sale by Subaru Affiliates and independent distributors.
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The Outback name and marketing campaign contributed to the perception of it being Australian-made
The Subaru Outback was first introduced in 1995 and quickly became popular with outdoor enthusiasts due to its rugged performance, impressive safety features, and spacious interior. The Outback name and marketing campaign, featuring Australian actor Paul Hogan, contributed to the perception of it being Australian-made. The vehicle was named after the Australian Outback, and the commercials played on this connection, portraying the car as a capable and efficient alternative to large, truck-based SUVs. This marketing strategy was incredibly successful, and many Americans continue to associate the Subaru Outback with Australia.
The Subaru Outback is currently produced in Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States, for the North American market. The Lafayette plant, known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), is the company's only manufacturing site outside of Japan. The Outback models sold in the United States are assembled in the US, specifically for American buyers.
However, the Outback models sold in other parts of the world, including Australia, are manufactured and assembled in Ota, Japan, at the Yajimi Plant. This plant supplies Outback models to various global markets, excluding North America.
The perception of Subaru Outback being Australian-made is further reinforced by the fact that the Outback is an important vehicle for Subaru in Australia, where it is currently the brand's third best-selling model. Additionally, Subaru sold better in Australia than in Japan, which may have contributed to the perception that the Outback is Australian-made.
While the Outback name and marketing campaign played a significant role in shaping the perception of the vehicle's origins, it is essential to acknowledge that Subaru's roots are in Japanese craftsmanship and engineering. The company's history began in Japan under the name Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), known for its expertise in aircraft manufacturing. Over time, FHI engineers began developing automobiles, leading to the creation of the first prototype under the Subaru name in 1953.
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Other Subaru models made at the SIA plant include the Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy
Subaru vehicles are manufactured in both Japan and the United States. The Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana, is the company's only manufacturing site outside of Japan. The SIA plant produces vehicles not only for the North American market but also globally. Other Subaru models made at the SIA plant include the Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy. These models, along with the Outback, are manufactured for the North American market and are not shipped to other global markets.
The Ascent is a larger crossover built in the US and offers three rows of seating. The Impreza is another model produced at the SIA plant for the North American market. In 2010, the Impreza XV was introduced for the European and Australian markets at the Geneva Motor Show. The Legacy is also produced at the SIA plant and is closely associated with the Outback. The Legacy wagon, introduced in the mid-1990s, served as the basis for the Outback, which added body cladding and a suspension lift.
The Outback is an important vehicle for Subaru in Australia and the US. While the Outback is Subaru's flagship model in Japan, it is the brand's third best-selling model in Australia, behind the Forester and Crosstrek. In the US, the Outback was the brand's best-selling vehicle in 2023. The Outback's popularity and its association with the Australian Outback may have contributed to the perception that Subaru is an Australian-born vehicle. However, Subaru is a Japanese brand, and its vehicles are primarily manufactured in Japan and the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian Subaru Outbacks are made in Lafayette, Indiana, in the United States.
Subaru established corporate headquarters in the United States in 1968, and the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant opened in 1989. The Outback was introduced in 1995, and it was decided that the SIA plant would produce vehicles for the North American market.
Yes, Subaru Outbacks for the rest of the world are manufactured and assembled at the Yajimi Plant in Ota, Japan.
The Outback is Subaru's most popular and well-known vehicle, and its name, along with commercials featuring Paul Hogan ("Crocodile Dundee"), led to many people associating the brand with Australia.




















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