2014 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium on 2040-cars

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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."

Subaru Impreza Sport Hybrid launches in Japan

Subaru is adding the Impreza Sport Hybrid to its lineup, but it's exclusive to the Japanese market for the moment. The latest Impreza variant is rated at 48 miles per gallon on the Japanese testing cycle, and it joins the XV Crosstrek as the only hybrids in Subaru's lineup. The brand doesn't currently list overall horsepower or torque specs for the new model. However, given that they share a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, CVT, all-wheel drive, and battery packs mounted under the rear cargo floor, figures similar to the Crosstrek hybrid's 160 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque seem likely. Subaru's EyeSight system is standard on all models of the hybrid Impreza, and the tech is programmed to work with the adaptive cruise control to eke out the best fuel economy possible while driving. There are also some styling tweaks, including updates to the lower air dam, revised side sills, a roof spoiler, and LED taillights. Don't get too excited about parking an Impreza Sport Hybrid in your garage any time soon, though. Subaru of America's Jessica Tullman told Autoblog, "At this point, there are no plans to bring it here." The model goes on sale in Japan on July 10 with a starting price of the equivalent of about $18,900, before the country's consumption tax. A higher trim S model with an upgraded interior goes for around $19,900. Subaru Launches "Impreza Sport Hybrid" in Japan Tokyo, June 19, 2015 – Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, will launch an "Impreza Sport Hybrid" on July 10, 2015, through Subaru dealerships in Japan. The new Impreza Sport Hybrid is the second fun-to-drive hybrid from Subaru, following on from the Subaru XV Hybrid launched in 2013. The motor assist function offers smooth, linear acceleration, which is teamed with sharp, sporty handling to bring out the distinctive enjoyment of driving a hybrid model while achieving fuel economy of just 20.4 km/liter (JC08 mode).*1 Designed to make optimum use of the low center of gravity and superior weight balance that characterize Subaru's unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) layout, the electric motor and high-voltage batteries of the hybrid version are positioned for superb driveability. The hybrid model further enhances the appeal of the Impreza Sport lineup by embracing Subaru design values to achieve its own sporty, top-quality exterior look and a refined, up-to-the-minute interior style.

Jeep Gladiator Mojave and Acura MDX A-Spec | Autoblog Podcast #627

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. This week, they're driving a Jeep Gladiator Mojave, Acura MDX A-Spec, our long-term Subaru Forester and a Honda CR-V Hybrid. A little stir-crazy from quarantine, they also derail the conversation for a little bit to talk about beer before launching into this episode's "Spend My Money" segment. Autoblog Podcast #627 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2020 Acura MDX A-Spec (Here's one of those "Off The Clock" episodes we reference in our derailment about beer) Our long-term 2019 Subaru Forester gives us a moist surprise 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: