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Subaru suppliers rely on gray market labor

The Subaru Forester is currently the Japanese brand's bestselling model in the US. A new investigation by Reuters is making some scathing allegations about how the popular model is actually made, though. The piece claims that many of Subaru's suppliers in Ota, Japan, are using low-paid foreign workers and asylum seekers to produce components that go into the CUV. The report says that these laborers are coming from places like China and Bangladesh, and they allegedly receive a pittance compared to their Japanese counterparts. Many said that they get about $6.60 an hour, but employment brokers can take a large portion of that pay. At just four suppliers Reuters estimates there are 580 foreign workers, or about 30 percent of the total workforce. The situation has turned Ota into a cultural melting pot because of the significant population of immigrant labor. The problem stems in part from Japan's tiny labor market, and the country's odd asylum system that doesn't allow some applicants to work legally. These suppliers produce many components for the Forester, including the seats, shocks, and fuel tanks. Reuters admits that the businesses have contracts with other Japanese automakers, as well, but Subaru receives the main focus of this piece, which you can read in full, here. When asked for comment about Reuters' report, Subaru of America provided Autoblog with the following statement: "Fuji Heavy Industries does not condone the exploitation of any class of worker, either in its own operations or within its supply chain. FHI expects all employees to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect and to be provided with appropriate workplace protections. The FHI CSR policy respects and adheres to the law and regulations of business as well as upholding human rights and international standards of behavior and the ethical standards of our stakeholders. Our supply chain network has been made aware of our policy and expectations."

2016 Subaru WRX and STI get new safety, tech equipment

The Subaru WRX and STI were just thoroughly revamped, but the Japanese brand has decided to tweak the offerings slightly for the 2016 model year. The changes include some upgraded safety systems, and as a possible blasphemy to fans, a smaller wing is being offered on the STI. The latest versions should hit dealers in the summer, but prices grow slightly. A base WRX is $300 more than last year at at $26,595 (plus $795 destination on all of them), and the cheapest STI is $34,695, a $200 increase. The WRX is undoubtedly fun to drive already, but the Premium and Limited trims now ride on standard 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires. For added in-car entertainment, Subaru is giving all models, including the STI, its 6.2-inch Starlink infotainment system that includes a rearview camera. Vehicles with navigation get a seven-inch version. Driving a WRX might be just a little safer too because Subaru is offering its EyeSight system with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist as an option on the Limited with the CVT. It's packaged with things like the nav system, upgraded radio, keyless start, and steering-responsive foglights for $4,095. The same trim with the six-speed manual gets a similar bundle but replaces some of the safety tech with just blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert for $3,100. In perhaps the most contentious change, the STI Limited trim is now available with a tiny, trunk lip spoiler as a no-cost option. Seeing the aggressive sedan without the big wing certainly looks odd in photos, and it's still available for buyers who want it. Related Video: April 23, 2015 SUBARU INTRODUCES 2016 WRX® AND WRX STI® MODELS, OFFERING EYESIGHT® DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY AND SUBARU STARLINK™ INFOTAINMENT EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, now with Lane Keep Assist, available for WRX with Sport Lineartronic™ transmission Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert available for some models Subaru STARLINK™ Multimedia Touch Screen Infotainment in all trim levels Standard 18-inch wheels and summer performance tires on WRX Premium and Limited WRX STI Limited now available with low-profile rear trunk spoiler WRX models begin at $26,595 and WRX STI at $34,695 Cherry Hill, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru confirms new Outback to debut in New York

Performance enthusiasts may think of the WRX and BRZ when the name Subaru comes to mind, but for many others, the brand is best associated with the Outback. The soft-road version of the Legacy (and the Impreza-based Outback Sport that preceded the XV Crosstrek) is a vital product for the Japanese automaker, which has now confirmed it's bringing the latest version to the New York Auto Show in just a couple of weeks from now. There's little to go on from the teaser image above (which you can click to enlarge) and the press release below, which says only that "The all-new Outback is Subaru's flagship crossover model which blends Car-like handling and SUV capability." And that much we knew already. It's safe to assume that, like previous versions of the Outback, the new model (which we recently spied undergoing testing) will be based closely on the latest Legacy, albeit upgraded with a higher ride height, lower body cladding and other off-roading enhancements. Watch this space for more. All-New Subaru "Outback" to Make World Debut at 2014 New York International Auto Show Tokyo, April 3, 2014 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced that the all-new "Outback" (US specifications model) will make its world debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show (Press day: April 16 and 17; Open to the public from April 18 through 27, 2014). The Outback will be unveiled at the press briefing scheduled for 10:55 AM EST on April 17 at Subaru booth following a speech to be made by FHI President & CEO, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga. The all-new Outback is Subaru's flagship crossover model which blends Car-like handling and SUV capability. The special site opens today at 22:00 (Japan time) on the Subaru Global Site. http://www.subaru-global.com/2014ny.html The site will feature information updates relating to the New York International Auto Show including Subaru's press conference.