Subaru of America, Inc. Confirms Production of New Crossover Vehicle
8 September 2000
Subaru of America, Inc. Confirms Production of New Crossover Vehicle Based on ST-X Concept SUBARU CONCEPT PICKUP ST-X Subaru of America, Inc. today announced plans to build a new crossover vehicle based on the ST-X concept unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show earlier this year. (PRNewsFoto)[KI] LOS ANGELES, CA USA 09/07/2000 SUBARU CONCEPT PICKUP ST-X Subaru of America, Inc. today announced plans to build a new vehicle concept combining the versatility of the Subaru Outback, with the utility of a pickup. The new vehicle will be produced beginning in late 2002. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] LOS ANGELES, CA USA 09/07/2000 CHERRY HILL, N.J., Sept. 7 Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA)
today announced plans to build a new crossover vehicle based on the ST-X
concept unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show earlier this year. The
new vehicle will be produced at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc. (SIA(R)) in
Lafayette, Ind. beginning in the third quarter of 2002 with annual production
scheduled for 24,000 units. This exciting new addition to the Subaru model
line will be sold through the Subaru dealer network.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000106/LATH070-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000106/LATH070-b )
The new vehicle concept, combines the versatility of the Subaru Outback,
with the utility of a pickup -- creating a whole new type of vehicle.
Garnering an enthusiastic response from both the media and consumers at
several auto shows throughout the U.S., the concept is the ultimate expression
of the Subaru brand essence -- fun, freedom, adventure, confidence, and
control. Additional information and photos of the ST-X are available in the
News section of http://www.subaru.com
"Subaru invented the crossover category with the introduction of Outback
-- the World's First Sport Utility Wagon," said Subaru of America, Inc.
Chairman, President and CEO, Takao Saito. "Now, Subaru has taken this concept
a step further, establishing a new segment to complement the active lifestyle.
Based upon the overwhelming response by the public and our dealers to the
ST-X, we are confident this new vehicle will form the latest chapter in the
Subaru crossover success story."
Also today, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive announced that Fuji Heavy Industries
Ltd. (FHI), parent company of Subaru of America, will build a new Subaru
engine assembly plant at SIA in Lafayette, Ind. Construction of the new
engine plant will be a multi-step project, which will include an initial
capital investment of $36 million for full assembly and partial machining.
Fuji Heavy Industries will carefully evaluate the investment at each step,
which may culminate in a final estimated capital investment of $167 million.
The new engine plant will create up to 255 new jobs.
Central to the announcement, SIA will assemble horizontally opposed
4-cylinder engines for future Legacy and Outback vehicles built at the
Lafayette, Ind. facility. The new engine assembly operation will function as
part of SIA's Subaru division, and is scheduled to produce up to
114,000 engines per year.
"The new projects announced today demonstrate the bright future for SIA
and its dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 Hoosiers," said Subaru-Isuzu
Automotive President and CEO, Masayoshi Nagano. "The projects will also have
a significant positive impact on Indiana's economy, especially in the greater
Lafayette area. We thank all of the local, county and state officials for
their cooperation and assistance during the site selection process."
