Subaru has issued a critical update regarding the production of the 2025 (MY25) Forester models, including the Hybrid versions. Due to unforeseen increases in retail demand, the automaker is notifying dealers and customers that the Base and Premium trims are subject to potential closure with little or no notice. As a result, Subaru recommends that pending orders for these models be submitted as soon as possible to ensure timely processing. In contrast, the higher trims – Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring – are expected to remain available for a longer period, providing some flexibility for customers interested in those configurations.
Additionally, Subaru has warned that order-to-delivery times have significantly increased, with lead times now stretching up to 20 weeks due to the surge in demand. Customers are advised to be aware of these extended timelines when placing new orders for any Forester variant.
| Model | Estimated SOP | Production Location | Order Banks Open | Estimated on sale date | Order Banks Close | Estimated Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy | April 2024 | Indiana | April 2024 | June 2024 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Outback | April 2024 | Indiana | April 2024 | June 2024 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Forester (excl. Wilderness) | March 2024 | Japan | April 2024 | June 2024 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Forester Hybrid | February 2025 | Japan | February 2025 | July 2025 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Ascent | October 2024 | Indiana | August 2024 | November 2024 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Impreza | November 2024 | Japan | October 2024 | January 2025 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Crosstrek | November 2024 | Indiana/Japan | October 2024 | January 2025 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
| Solterra | December 2024 | Japan | December 2024 | January 2025 | TBD | 20 Weeks |
FBI Warns of Nationwide Smishing Scam Targeting Toll Payments
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received numerous reports of a smishing scam targeting drivers with fake road toll collection texts across multiple states. These messages falsely claim the recipient owes unpaid tolls, using nearly identical wording and similar "outstanding toll amounts." The fraudulent links mimic official state toll service websites, while phone numbers change based on location. Authorities believe the scam is spreading from state to state. If you receive such a text, report it to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
Gas Prices Rise Nationwide, West Coast Sees Sharp Increases
Gasoline prices have been rising for the second consecutive week, with the national average reaching $3.14, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). While prices are down by 12 cents from last year, sharp increases on the West Coast, driven by refinery maintenance and outages, have impacted neighboring states. The West Coast saw the largest price hike, up 15 cents, while the East Coast experienced a slight decrease. Although most regions have seen relatively stable prices, refinery maintenance and the transition to summer gasoline blends may cause price increases in the coming weeks. The cheapest states for gas are Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, with 20 states now averaging $2.99 or less per gallon, down from 27 at the start of the year.