Subaru has announced it will cease production of the WRX model for the Japanese domestic market on May 18th, ending orders for both the standard WRX S4 and the high-performance WRX S4 STI. Despite this change, the American market will continue to receive the WRX, as confirmed by a Subaru spokesperson to Motor1.
Production Shift and Sales Decline
The decision to halt WRX production in Japan is linked to declining sales. In 2025, WRX sales fell by over 40% as Subaru prioritized manufacturing higher-margin vehicles. The company sold fewer than 11,000 WRXs in the US last year. To address this, Subaru reintroduced the base WRX trim for 2026, raising its price by more than $5,000—a move designed to boost profitability.
US Production Remains Stable
The WRX sold in the United States is manufactured at Subaru’s Gunma Yajima plant in Japan and imported. However, the discontinuation in Japan does not signal an end to US availability. Subaru has indicated its commitment to performance vehicles despite the challenges. The current-generation WRX, launched in 2022, shares a platform with the Legacy and Crosstrek, two models already produced in the US, suggesting potential for future production adjustments if needed.
Future Outlook
Although the end of the WRX in Japan is concerning for enthusiasts, Subaru maintains that it is “still committed to performance cars.” The company may consider shifting production elsewhere to meet demand. The discontinuation of the STI variant remains a point of concern for some buyers, but the reintroduced base trim is expected to help increase sales volume.
The decision to end WRX production in Japan reflects broader shifts in Subaru’s manufacturing strategy, prioritizing profitability over niche models. The US market, however, remains a key target for the performance sedan, and Subaru has no current plans to discontinue it.
