Japanese Automakers Halt Production Amid Natural Disasters
With the recent earthquakes and tsunamis devestating Japan, automakers in the country are announcing a series of plant closures. Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Nissan have all announced plans to close various factories through the middle of March, although the plants could remain shuttered beyond that timeframe.
Toyota led the pack by announcing that their plants would close due to supply chain issues related to the disasters. Production of all Scion models will be halted, while the Toyota 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Prius and Yaris will see production capacities affected. Similarly, the Lexus GS, LS, IS, GX and LX models will face some kind of production decrease. While many of the company’s most successful models are produced in North America, production at Toyota facilities in Texas, Kentucky and Canada would be hit as parts supplies from Japan may be compromised.
Mazda has also suspened production at two plants in Hiroshima and Hofu, which build their entire range of vehicles. Honda announced that their plants, which export the Civic Hybrid, Insight and versions of the Accord, would see a halt until March 20th, while Nissan announced a stop production order at Japanese plants until March 18th.
It would appear that Mazda, which relies almost entirely on exports, will be hardest hit by the disaster, and we can only hope that both Japan and its car industry recovers quickly from this horrific tragedy.
[Source: Left Lane News]
More by Derek Kreindler
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I got my FJ Cruiser ordered from Japan 4 weeks ago....invoice price....boy did I have good timing!!!
I went to Maui Toyota on March 25, 2011 to order a 4-Runner. How long will it take to produce it. Aloha