2022 Subaru Outback Premium on 2040-cars

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Here's the story with the Chicken Tax

Quiz America's auto enthusiasts about the vehicles they most want to see in the US market, and for every one that doesn't respond with a French hot hatchback or some diesel-powered offering, there'd be at least three that ask for some small, imported pickup truck. That won't happen, though, and we have the Chicken Tax to thank. This damnable bit of legislation affixes a 25-percent tariff to any light truck not built in the United States. That's why Honda, Toyota and Nissan build all their trucks in the United States, and it's also why pickups like the foreign-built Volkswagen Amarok, shown above, or the long-rumored Mahindra pickup aren't offered here. Wired has the story on the roots of the Chicken Tax, including how one Japanese manufacturer got around it and even delivered a vehicle to one of our country's presidents. Head over and check it out.

2015 Subaru WRX STI goes for the gold [w/video]

If the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX has taken a good thing and made it great, then this should be, well, greater. Meet the range-topping WRX STI, packing more power, a decidedly more aggressive suspension tune, beefier looks, a giant wing and (woo!) gold wheels.
Those spiffy BBS wheels and WRC rally-ready matching WR Blue paint won't necessarily be around forever, though - Subaru is offering this package (along with unique interior trim) on the STI Launch Edition, limited to just 1,000 units. And cool as it may look, there's far more to love about the new STI package.
Power comes from a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, sending 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. (Launch Edition models even get a short-throw shift kit, which will likely be available as a dealer-installed accessory thereafter). Unlike the standard WRX, a do-it-yourself 'box will be the only transmission available. Subaru is employing its new - *ahem* - Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential version of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which, in addition to a standard 41/59 torque split, uses things like torque vectoring, and, when put in manual mode, allows the driver to select one of six center differential locking levels. In other words, the STI should be incredibly sharp on the road - sharper than ever before.

Subaru puts Japanese production on pause in the wake of deadly typhoon

Subaru idled its main factory in Gunma, Japan, in the wake of the deadly typhoon that wreaked havoc on the eastern part of the country. The shutdown is tentatively scheduled to last about a week. Located roughly two hours northwest of Tokyo, the Gunma factory fell silent at the end of the morning shift on October 16, according to Automotive News. The facility wasn't directly affected by the typhoon, but some of its suppliers suffered flood damage. "These suppliers are currently working to normalize their operations with our human and material support as well, but we expect some impairment of their supply of automotive components and parts to Subaru," the firm said in a statement. It didn't name the suppliers, and it didn't identify the parts they make, but it added production should resume on October 25. About 2,500 cars leave the Gunma factory daily, Automotive News learned, so approximately 11,250 vehicles will be delayed by the shutdown.The BRZ, Forester, Crosstrek, and the WRX all come from the facility. It also makes the Impreza, though American-spec models are built in Indiana, and the Levorg, which isn't sold in the United States. Subaru confirmed to Autoblog its plant in Lafayette isn't affected by the storm, which suggests it sources parts from other suppliers. Subaru is the first car manufacturer to idle a factory in the wake of typhoon Hagibis, which killed 77 people when it touched down on October 12, but it might not be last. Suppliers normally work with several carmakers, and Toyota and Mitsubishi are reportedly keeping a very close eye on their parts inventory. Auto News Plants/Manufacturing Subaru