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Subaru of Indiana produces its 4 millionth Subaru, but that's not all

Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), the only Subaru plant outside Japan, just celebrated building its 4 millionth Subaru. On Monday, April 22, at 10:51 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, a silver 2019 Outback rolled off the line to mark the milestone. The facility was the product of a joint venture between Subaru and Isuzu, producing about 67,000 cars per year. Devoted solely to Subarus since 2016, yearly output by the more than 5,700 factory associates hovers around 370,000 cars. Those with a head for arcane minutiae might recall that in 2013 Subaru announced having produced the 4 millionth vehicle at the plant. An Outback also celebrated that milestone, that time a 2014 model in Dark Indigo Blue. Subaru answered our question about the previous highlight by explaining, "in the past, the plant produced Isuzu vehicles (and at one point, even the Honda Passport and Toyota Camry)." The 2013 vehicle tally counted everything rolling out the doors. This week's marker counts just the Subarus. The facility also builds the Ascent, Impreza, and Legacy for the North American market. Things are going so well for the Japanese carmaker that we were also told, "While this week we're celebrating our 4 millionth Subaru vehicle (since beginning production in 1989), in early September we expect to produce our 6 millionth overall vehicle." Seems those seven sisters of the Pleiades, Subaru's constellation logo, are shining at full strength.

Here's your chance to own a Subaru Impreza WRX stunt car from 'Baby Driver'

Fans of the the 2017 movie "Baby Driver," pay attention, because you have another chance at owning one of the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRXs used for the film's big opening chase scene. It's fitted with a long list of modifications, though it remains street legal, and it's expected to bring in a substantial amount of money. The seller states this Impreza is one of the ones that retains the factory all-wheel drive system, but it was modified by a shop called AllPro Subaru for stunt duty. The shop removed the 2.0-liter flat-four and installed a 300-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine sourced from a WRX STI. It was rebuilt with forged pistons, while the driveline received a stronger clutch plus beefier front and rear differentials. Finally, a hydraulic hand brake helped the WRX go sideways. Inside, this Impreza WRX received an instrument cluster and other bits and pieces pulled out of the STI parts bin. It's finished in red with a black leather interior, though it was originally painted blue.  To prove the car's authenticity, the seller is including its build sheet, interviews with stunt driver Jeremy Fry, and matched screen shots in the sale. Whether it ends up in a museum or driven regularly depends on who buys it. As of writing, one person has bid on this WRX, and it's sitting at $19,000 with its reserve not met. The auction ends on July 20, and it's reasonable to speculate it will sell for much more if bidding goes beyond the reserve set by the seller. In 2017, another WRX used in the movie traded hands for $69,100 after receiving 71 bids. It looked a lot like the one that's up for grabs, but it was converted to rear-wheel drive to make it easier for the stunt drivers to drift. For context, a 2006 WRX STI with reasonable mileage and no modifications is worth about $20,000. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.    

Subaru to stop building Camry for Toyota in the US

It was back in 2007 that Subaru of Indiana Automotive, under contract from Subaru minority shareholder Toyota, built the first Toyota Camry at its plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Rumblings of the end of that contract work have been around for a while, as Subaru talked of expanding capacity to build more units and add a line for the Impreza, and Toyota talked of moving Camry production to its Georgetown, KY plant. The news was official internally last November when SIA Executive Vice President Tom Easterday told the Louisville Courier-Journal that Camry production would end. Now, Automotive News reports that both automakers have admitted publicly that the end will come in 2016.
SIA currently has a 170,000-unit capacity devoted to the home-brand Legacy and Outback models, while a $400-million expansion increases that to 300,000 units to prepare the facility for Impreza production in two years. Freeing up the 100,000 units of production devoted to the Camry means a 400,000-unit capability, which is far more than Subaru needs at the moment, but the Toyota exit will allow it to expand any way it sees fit. Subaru has said it will absorb the workers on the Camry line and no jobs will be lost, the mayor of Lafayette saying the development could change the timetable for the expansion.