Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined executives of Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) as the company unveiled its new Subaru Ascent, which will be manufactured at its Lafayette facility. To support the increased production, the company plans to create up to 200 new jobs by 2018.
“Today we witness Subaru’s continued commitment to Indiana as the company unveils the all-new Subaru Ascent and announces its plans to create more jobs for Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “For 30 years, Subaru has spurred economic growth and I’m confident they will witness continued success as we work to take Indiana to the next level by growing our economy and developing the skills of our workforce.”
The company, which is a subsidiary of Subaru Corporation and is the company’s only assembly plant outside Japan, will invest more than $140 million to purchase new machinery and equipment to add production of the Subaru Ascent in 2018 to meet the growing demand for mid-level vehicles in North America. The all-new Subaru Ascent, which was revealed on Nov. 28 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is a three–row crossover vehicle that has the capacity to hold seven or eight passengers.
SIA currently employs more than 5,600 associates at its location in Indiana and will produce approximately 400,000 vehicles in 2018, including the Subaru Legacy, Impreza, Outback and Ascent. Since the start of the company’s production 30 years ago, the facility has produced more than five million vehicles.
“The Subaru Ascent is a great addition to our production mix,” said Tom Easterday, senior executive vice president of SIA. “This great new family vehicle allows us to create hundreds of new jobs at SIA, and also at our suppliers in Indiana and across the country.”
Today's announcement comes two years after SIA announced plans to create 1,024 jobs and increase its production. Since 2015, the company has created 1,800 new jobs, exceeding its previous commitment. The company’s expansion is also expected to spur growth for its direct material suppliers as well, including 28 companies like ELSA Corporation, Moriden America and FTIC.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc up to $500,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance based, meaning until Hoosiers are trained, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County support this project.
“We are pleased that the IEDC recognizes the value that SIA brings to our community,” said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. “As one of the area’s largest employers, SIA has established itself as a company who offers jobs that can translate to lifetime careers, with tangible and lasting benefits directly impacting quality of life.”
SIA’s announcement follows Governor Holcomb’s international trade mission to Japan earlier this year where he met with executives from Japan-based companies with operations in Indiana, including Subaru. SIA is one of more than 260 Japanese business establishments in Indiana that together employ more than 53,000 Hoosiers. Among all U.S. states, Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita.
About SIA
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), a subsidiary of Subaru Corporation, is the home of North American Subaru production. Models built at the plant include the Subaru Legacy, Impreza and Outback. SIA employs over 5,600 Associates, and every SIA Associate is committed to quality, safety and environmental stewardship.
SIA was the first auto assembly plant in America to achieve zero landfill status, and SIA’s entire 832-acre site has been designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The company’s community outreach programs include providing charitable contributions and corporate sponsorships, hosting charitable events on-site, donating vehicles and vehicle parts to educational institutions and encouraging Associate volunteerism, which supports hundreds of non-profit organizations and schools throughout Indiana annually. For more information, visit www.subaru-sia.com.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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