Japan Automakers Continue Suspension of Completed Car Plants

Japanese car makers continue suspension or low operation of their completed car plants when many component makers are paused after Japan Earthquake. Toyota Motor can’t purchase 500 component items such as plastic products, coating materials or electronic parts. The firm continues confirmation of material procurement from suspended suppliers.

Automobile makers started completed car plants partially but they cannot raise operating rate due to component supply shortage. Toyota restarted production of 3 type highbred cars but the production is more than halving to total 950 cars at no.1 and no.2 Tsutsumi works and Toyota Motor Kyusyu against the original schedule.

Car makers seem to have started deliberation of alternate procurement, including overseas products. But it would require substantial time to confirm quality of new component, especially for electronic devices. Automakers are unable to return into full-scale operation due to impact of Earthquake and TEPCO’s planned power outage in Kanto area.