[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

I think I once read that all Subies were made in one plant and that the factory was modified regularly to produce runs of the different models. "Don't be surprised to see an Impreza come off the line right after a Forrester". Sounds not-quite-right to me, but I'm not intimately acquainted with Subaru's technological and manufacturing prowess.

If Subaru was surprised with the demand (as if...) and decided that extra STi units would sell just as easily, would it really even be a possibility? Would extra production of the STi detract from output for other models? Would we be looking at not only a limited supply but also a restrictive production capacity, should the car catch on?

 

[MKIVSupra]

Someone once posted somewhere, not sure if it was here, but they basically said in order to increase production of one model Subaru would have to limit the production of another model. I guess if all the models are built on the same assembly line that would make sense.

 

[Bill]

That would be true only if they were running the plant at full-tilt. They may be able to add a shift, work OT, etc. It's rare that a plant runs at 100% of capacity, but it does happen.

 

[FUBAR]

I think I once read that all Subies were made in one plant

There is the plant in Japan and a plant in Indiana I think. The Indiana plant makes Legs and Foresters only. Or at least they used to.

 

[MKIVSupra]

Yup, my Legacy was built in Indiana. I am more concerned with the assembly plant(s) where the STi would be built which I doubt would be the Indiana plant. I just brought up something I saw someone else post once that did not really make sense, but if all the Subarus built overseas are from one plant, it makes more sense now.

 

[Albert]

Boston, MA: Looking to get on a list or start one...

I started a discussion at the i-club's new and rumor forum a while back addressing STI vehicle production limitations, and fixes. This came about after repeatedly hearing different numbers of how many STI's the US was to receive. I suggested Subaru either build additional facilities, or shift production of certain vehicles elswhere. Other members justified why they thought it should be a certain model, etc, etc. I also suggested SOA could sell 7000 STI's annually if priced at fair market value.
Keep in mind there is a lot more to STI than just the Impreza; to my knowledge there is also the Legacy, Forester, possibly other JDM models we are not familar with, and some sort of racing support division.
Just last week Autoweek announced North America will get 4k STI's. Again, I'll speculate; they either will reduced/shifted production of certain vehicles to free facilities/assemblers to do more STI work, or as stated the STI facilities were just not up to full capacity before.

Anyway, if vehicles numbers go the way it usually does [w/ pre-orders] NA will see at a minimim 5000 STI's if the re-design is a success and the vehicle is priced reasonably.

BTW,...ALL Impreza based vehicles are currently assemblied in Japan which also includes the Forester.

 

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

Trunk Pass Through Loop hole

As Subaru's motorsport division, why would they have anything to do with any model other than the one used for rallying?

Additionally, is STi not simply a design division of the company, with no _production_ capabilities?

 

[Albert]

Note specifically Subaru does not "run" a race team to my knowledge. However they communicate directly and support privateer teams thru the STI arm. Feedback and refinements helps to better the end product whether on the track or on the road.

Unless things have changed recently, all vehicles designated to wear the STI badge are transported in an almost complete stage of assembly to a seperate facility where it is dissembled/modified/reassembled as necessary to proudly wear the STI badge.

 

[alfredob1]

Found this:
"STi (Subaru Technica International) A division of Subaru Japan, STi oversees all aspects of Subaru's rally programme as well as producing high performance versions of Subaru road cars."

Here:
http://www.swrt.com/media_information/pdf/555_Subaru_World_Rally_Team_-_Technical_Partners.pdf

 

[Albert]

Snow Tires

Yes, that makes perfect sense.
Prodrive must report to "someone" at Subaru, a contact who understand their needs and to oversee expenditures. However Prodrive runs it's own rally team on a day to day basis with support from the factory> STI.

 

[TiTaNiuM sAMuRai]

So an STi starts out as a WRX?

 

[Albert]

WTF?

So an STi starts out as a WRX?

I don't know.

I can't think of any WRX specific part other than maybe the wiring harness that would save some time during the transformation.

 

[Agent Chobos]

So an STi starts out as a WRX?

That doesn't make much sense. It would be extremely inefficient if STi received complete WRXs. Surely a WRX is sent to STi in an incomplete state of assembly, and they can just finish assembling the car with STi-specific parts.

 

[jbhebert]

An STi is built as an STi from the very beginning. It shares the same shell and some parts as the WRX, but as Agent Chobos noted, it doesn't make much sense to build a car and then tear it apart again to make it something else. The STi that you or I will see if built entirely by Subaru, likely under the same roof as the WRX. I do not believe that STi has it's own production line. ProDrive does not touch these cars until after they roll off of the assembly line. The rally cars that you see in the WRC are STi's that have been shipped to ProDrive to be modified. Street legal cars with ProDrive packages are created from completed STi's.

J.B.

 

[SnowmanFX]

STI's in canada

So why do they call it the Impreza WRX STi and not the Impreza STi?
The fact that they say WRX means it is a WRX with the STi package.

I do agree with you about the building and tearing apart because that would be pointless.
I am just confussed about the whole thing. All i know is that it is bad ass and as long as they keep doing it, it is OK with me.

 

[jbhebert]

Watch the Paris Auto Show

I wouldn't read too much into what they call it. If you look at the history of Subaru, their naming convention is hardly consistant. The STi is just the next level of WRX, and Impreza WRX STi makes sense since it is an Impreza, it is a WRX, and it is an STi. But calling the STi a "package" isn't entirely fair. When I think of "package" I think of tacked on body parts and cheesy interiors. STi is more the equivalent of the M division of BMW, or AMG since it has joined Mercedes. While it is based on the WRX, it is a totally re-engineered car. Every change is designed to improve the car and work with other changes that have been made.

J.B.