Subaru has officially begun producing hybrid vehicles at its U.S. manufacturing facility, marking a significant milestone for the brand’s North American operations. Production of the 2026 Forester Hybrid is now underway at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) in Lafayette, Indiana, making it the first Subaru hybrid model to be built in the United States.
This step follows five years of preparation and investment, and it also means that every Forester sold in the U.S. market is now assembled at the Indiana plant. The facility holds special importance for the automaker, as it is Subaru’s only manufacturing site outside Japan and has produced more than six million vehicles since it opened in 1989.
Commenting on the achievement, SIA President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Brand highlighted the long-term effort behind the move to hybrid production.
He said that bringing hybrid assembly to the Indiana facility had been in development for five years and described the start of mass production as both highly rewarding and the culmination of extensive work by the plant’s associates.
The Indiana plant began building the petrol-powered 2026 Forester in October, and the addition of the hybrid version expands its role even further.
With this update, SIA is now responsible for producing both of Subaru’s most popular models in the U.S., alongside the Crosstrek. The 2026 Forester Hybrid will be offered in Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring trims, giving buyers a wide range of options.
All versions of the 2026 Forester, including the new hybrid, come standard with the latest generation of Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology. The model has also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award, marking the tenth time the Forester has received this recognition.
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