Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) has built the final Subaru Legacy, marking the end of production for the long-running sedan. The last unit is a Magnetite Gray Limited color.
“This is a bittersweet moment for our company and our associates,” said Scott Brand, president and chief operating officer of SIA. “While an important chapter in our history has been brought to a close, we’re already turning the page and starting a new one.”
The Legacy debuted on September 11, 1989, as the first Subaru manufactured in the United States at SIA. It was designed for the American market and launched Subaru into the competitive mid-size sedan and wagon segment. The Legacy Wagon later served as the foundation for the Subaru Outback.
Over seven generations, SIA produced all U.S.-market Legacy models, selling nearly 1.4 million units across the United States, as well as in many global markets. Despite being Subaru’s longest-running model line, the sedan’s discontinuation reflects a shift in consumer demand from cars to SUVs and Subaru’s move toward electrified vehicles.
Production changes at SIA will continue in the coming weeks. The U.S. assembly of the Outback will end in about three weeks, with production of the Subaru Forester set to begin in October. A hybrid version of the Forester will follow in the spring, although the hybrid Forester is expected to arrive in the Philippines sooner than anticipated.
“We’re excited for what lies ahead,” Brand added. “Bringing gas-powered and hybrid Forester production to the U.S. will provide quicker market response for one of Subaru’s most popular models, while also introducing hybrid processes and technology into our operations.”
SIA, Subaru’s only manufacturing facility outside Japan, currently builds the Ascent, Crosstrek, and Outback. It produces about half of all Subaru vehicles sold in North America and expects to assemble its eight millionth vehicle in November.
All that being said, the Legacy was slowly overshadowed by Subaru’s very own lineup. There’s the Outback for those who want a rugged wagon, then there’s the Crosstrek to serve that rugged market, but in a more compact package. Lastly, we have the WRX wagon (formerly Levorg), which somehow overshadows the whole idea of the Legacy.
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