Last Friday, an earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale shook up Japan and triggered a tsunami that flooded most of the country up north. Now, nuclear threats are rising and thousands of people are still missing.
The chaos forced domestic automakers to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their employees, including closing plants and suspending operations at least until this Wednesday. The damage resulting from the quake and flooding will obviously slow down car production and parts deliveries around the world for weeks to come. Consequently, the stock markets were all down today.
Here's an update for every Japanese automaker:
Toyota
Toyota, which has the most facilities in the quake zone, evacuated workers at its two plants in Hokkaido and Tohoku as well as those from its affiliates, Kanto Auto Works (Iwate) and Central Motors Corporation (Miyagi).
As expected, Yaris, Scion xB and xD production and exports will be delayed. By Wednesday, Toyota will have built 40,000 fewer cars than normal.
Nissan
Two factories in Tochigi suspended their operations until Friday at the earliest and four others will remain closed until Wednesday. The company did not want to comment on the impact of the tragedy, but we know that a minimum of 2,300 vehicles (including Infiniti M, EX and FX models headed to North America) were damaged and/or burned following the tsunami.
Honda
All Honda facilities will remain shut down at least until Sunday, reducing production by approximately 16,600 units. Officials claim that Canadian and American operations won't be affected since 80 percent of the lineup is built in North America. The Honda CR-V, Accord and Fit as well as the Acura RL and TSX are manufactured in Saitama, but dealers shouldn't feel any effects.
Mazda
The earthquake had little impact on Mazda, let alone the tsunami. Yet, executives decided to stop production at the Hiroshima and Hofu plants until Wednesday.
Mitsubishi
Operations are on hold until Wednesday. The company reportedly has enough parts in reserve to resume production on Thursday.
Subaru
Like every other domestic rival, Subaru plants will be inactive for at least two more days, which will affect production of Foresters and Imprezas headed to North America.
Source: Automotive News, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan
The chaos forced domestic automakers to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their employees, including closing plants and suspending operations at least until this Wednesday. The damage resulting from the quake and flooding will obviously slow down car production and parts deliveries around the world for weeks to come. Consequently, the stock markets were all down today.
Here's an update for every Japanese automaker:
Toyota
Toyota, which has the most facilities in the quake zone, evacuated workers at its two plants in Hokkaido and Tohoku as well as those from its affiliates, Kanto Auto Works (Iwate) and Central Motors Corporation (Miyagi).
As expected, Yaris, Scion xB and xD production and exports will be delayed. By Wednesday, Toyota will have built 40,000 fewer cars than normal.
Nissan
Two factories in Tochigi suspended their operations until Friday at the earliest and four others will remain closed until Wednesday. The company did not want to comment on the impact of the tragedy, but we know that a minimum of 2,300 vehicles (including Infiniti M, EX and FX models headed to North America) were damaged and/or burned following the tsunami.
Honda
All Honda facilities will remain shut down at least until Sunday, reducing production by approximately 16,600 units. Officials claim that Canadian and American operations won't be affected since 80 percent of the lineup is built in North America. The Honda CR-V, Accord and Fit as well as the Acura RL and TSX are manufactured in Saitama, but dealers shouldn't feel any effects.
Mazda
The earthquake had little impact on Mazda, let alone the tsunami. Yet, executives decided to stop production at the Hiroshima and Hofu plants until Wednesday.
Mitsubishi
Operations are on hold until Wednesday. The company reportedly has enough parts in reserve to resume production on Thursday.
Subaru
Like every other domestic rival, Subaru plants will be inactive for at least two more days, which will affect production of Foresters and Imprezas headed to North America.
Source: Automotive News, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan