You know that your Subaru has always been sporty, outdoorsy, and forward-thinking. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Where does it come from?” There’s likely only one answer.

Subaru’s origins date back to mid-twentieth century Japan, but if you drive one these days, there’s an overwhelming chance that it came from Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA) in Lafayette, Indiana. That’s a long way from Wilmington, North Carolina — about 800 miles to be exact. But your Subaru has always felt close to you because of the beliefs it embodies.

Want to know more about those beliefs? You’ll need to understand where Subarus come from first.

3 Interesting Facts About Where Subaru Cars Are Made

SIA was the first zero-landfill auto plant

Subaru has made a name for itself as an environmentally-conscious automaker for a reason. Everything used at the SIA assembly plant in Lafayette, Indiana, is recycled and repurposed. Over 99% of production materials like metal, plastic, glass, and paper are recycled for reuse. The remainder is burned to help generate steam.

It was also the first auto assembly plant to become a wildlife habitat

Before it even became the first zero-landfill plant, SIA was appointed as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Sparing acreage normally taken up by scrap parts, SIA provides a home for a variety of wildlife. Eagles, geese, ducks, squirrels, rabbits, turtles, deer, and more roam uninhibited by harmful waste.

SIA has been manufacturing through their PZEV platform for 15 years

Subaru has played an integral role in the rise of partial zero emissions vehicles, and SIA is a big reason. From the Legacy to the Forester and Outback, SIA has built vehicles that live up to California’s Super-Ultra-Low-Emission standards since 2003.

Another fun fact: Some PZEV models achieve lower emissions than their hybrid counterparts.

Be a Part of Subaru’s Story in Wilmington, NC

Want to carry on Subaru’s progressive work? At Parkway Subaru, we hold those core values close at our Subaru dealership in Wilmington, North Carolina. Find an SIA-manufactured, PZEV model today in our inventory of new cars for sale, and feel good about what you drive.