SIA Begins Ascent Production

Four vehicles

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The first 2018 Subaru Ascent will this afternoon roll off the assembly line at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette. The new production sparked a $140 million investment at the plant along with plans to create up to 200 jobs.

SIA also produces the Outback, Legacy and Impreza models at the Tippecanoe County plant. The automaker debuted the Ascent last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The model is a three-row SUV that seats up to eight passengers.

The first Ascent will come off the line during a ceremony this afternoon in Lafayette, which will include remarks from SIA Senior Executive Vice President Tom Easterday and Senior Vice President Scott Brand.

Last month, Subaru of America Inc. reported its best-ever first quarter for sales. The New Jersey-based company markets and distributes SIA-made Subaru models to more than 600 retailers throughout the United States. SOA reported sales of just under 150,000 vehicles for the quarter, marking a nearly 4 percent increase over the first quarter in 2017.