Honda, Nissan, Toyota and other automakers in Japan are feeling the pinch of delays throughout their industry. These delays have a ripple effect that make their way to other automakers that use parts made in Japan. TFLCar.com has gathered a few news releases from some of the effected automakers.
Here are some updates.
According to Nissan:
- “Nearly 70 percent of the vehicles Nissan Americas sells in the region are produced in the region and manufacturing operations are continuing to operate on a normal schedule.
- Due to an approximately 50 days’ supply of vehicle stock on the ground in the region or already in transit from Japanese ports, Nissan Americas does not anticipate any near-term impact on sales or vehicle availability.
- Approximately 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan due to the earthquake/tsunami, which equates to less than a few days’ supply for the brand. Historically, Infiniti keeps an approximately 20,000 unit inventory in the U.S., so this unit loss is expected to be made up over the next several months.” – – Nissan/Infiniti News Room
Honda is working on buying recent models to resell as certified pre-owned to take up some of the slack left behind by the disaster.
According to Honda:
- The suspension of automobile production, which began March 14, was extended today for an additional three days– through March 23 — at the following locations: Sayama Plant at Saitama Factory (Sayama, Saitama); Suzuka Factory (Suzuka, Mie).
- The same March 23 timing applies at the Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto), where motorcycles are produced.
- There is a possibility that we could begin operations partially on some lines at the non-finished unit level before March 23 at three locations: Hamamatsu Factory (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka); Ogawa Plant (Ogawa-machi, Hiki-gun Saitama); and Tochigi Factory (Moka, Tochigi). We are still in the process of determining details about when production can be resumed at these sites.
- Honda is cooperating with electricity conservation efforts and rolling blackout measures, prioritizing the relief and recovery of affected areas. Our decision to resume production could be affected by the needs of Japanese society as a whole.
- Honda has made contact with all Tier 1 suppliers in Japan and is collecting information from them regarding the status of their operations. – – Honda Media
Toyota has been very quick to respond to worries from investors and consumers alike.
According to Toyota : “Regarding Toyota’s North American operations, so far the impact is limited. All 13 North American vehicle and engine plants are running normally, although overtime has been curtailed for now to assure we maintain adequate inventories of parts that come from Japan. In addition, since most parts and materials for Toyota’s North American-built vehicles are provided by suppliers in North America, this helps insulate Toyota’s North American plants from production interruptions in Japan.” – – Toyota Media
Even some American automakers are being affected.
General Motors is halting work on some pickup trucks that are waiting for Japanese sourced components.
No word yet on how Ford and Chrysler LLC have been or will be effected by the crisis in Japan.
Stay tuned to TFLCar.com as we will post the latest.
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