Auto industry quake update
Automotive news reports on how the Japan quake and tsunami are affecting the automotive industry.
Editors' Note: The following is a list of reported effects of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan on the automotive industry.
- Chrysler Group
- Ford Motor Co.
- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Subaru)
- General Motors
- Honda Motor Co.
- Mazda Motor Corp.
- Nissan Motor Co.
- Toyota Motor Corp.
Restricted dealers from ordering vehicles in 10 paint colors produced in Japan
Restricted dealer orders for "tuxedo black" and three red paint shades used on some models; affects Ford F-150 and Super Duty pickups, Explorer, Expedition, Focus, Taurus, and Lincoln MKS and Navigator
Closing Kentucky Truck plant (F-series Super Duty, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator) April 4-8 because of parts shortages, weak retail demand for full-sized trucks
Lafayette, Ind., plant running half production April 4 and 8 because of shortage of a critical part from Japan; regular shifts April 5-7; no shortages anticipated after next week
Toyota Camry line not affected
No actions announced
U.S.:
Cut output at eight U.S. and Canadian plants by 50 percent from March 30 through at least April 15
Dealer orders suspended for Japan-built models, including the Fit, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Acura TSX, and Acura RL; small number of CR-Vs also affected
April launch of the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic on schedule
Japan:
Vehicle production halted at Sayama (CR-V, Accord, Fit, Acura RL, and TSX) and Suzuka (Fit, Civic, Civic Hybrid, Insight, and CR-Z) until April 11
On April 4 resuming production of parts and replacement parts for shipment overseas
Suspended dealer orders for vehicles made in Japan until further notice
U.S.:
Will close U.S. vehicle and engine plants for six days this month and Mexican plants for five
About 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan en route to the United States; expects to make up the inventory loss within months
Informed dealers March 24 that company will follow normal ordering schedule for May; no processing delays expected
Japan:
Vehicle production at five assembly plants (Rogue, Cube, Leaf, Murano, Infiniti G and M series) idled April 4-8, expected to resume mid-April
Will resume partial operation at Iwaki engine plant (VQ V-6 engine for Infiniti G and M series, Murano, Z350) in mid-April; complete reparation targeted for end of April
Resuming parts production for overseas and repair parts after April 4
U.S.:
Informed
dealers March 25 that they face a shortage of 233 parts for at least 30
days; will not fill any orders of short-inventory parts to replenish
dealer stock
Thirteen North American vehicle and engine plants running; overtime curtailed
Sent memo to U.S. and Canadian workers March 23, warning thinning supplies will cause some interruptions in production; no definite time frame for stoppages
Japan:
Resumed production of Toyota Prius, Lexus HS 250h, and CT 200h hybrids at half capacity March 31
Miyagi assembly plant (U.S.-edition Yaris) to be offline until at least late April
18 Japanese plants expected to remain offline until April 14; affects almost all Toyota- and Lexus-brand cars
On March 17 resumed production of replacement parts for vehicles already on the market; on March 21 resumed production of parts for overseas production
(Source: Automotive News)