Honda Motor Co is extending its suspension of car and motorcycle production in Japan until Sunday amid a shortage of parts following a colossal earthquake and tsunami earlier this month.
Japanese automakers are struggling with power cuts and a dwindling supply of components as a result of the March 11 disaster that devastated northeastern Japan.
Honda said in a statement yesterday that the extended shutdown affects finished vehicle production at its Saitama and Suzuka factories and motorcycles at its Kumamoto factory.
Toyota Motor Corp, the world’s biggest automaker, was deciding yesterday when it can restart auto production at 11 factories in Japan, company spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said.
Toyota, the maker of the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models, resumed some parts production last week, Hashimoto said.
The maker of Subaru, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, said it would start making parts for foreign production today and spare parts tomorrow, but the shutdown at five auto factories in Japan was extended through tomorrow.
Japanese automakers are expected to rebound once they restart production following the quake and tsunami that likely killed at least 18,000 people in the northeast. However, industry analysts say they would be hampered by power shortages and damage to roads.
Last week, Nissan Motor Co and Mitsubishi Motors Corp restarted some plants using their stocks of parts, but said that would continue only as long as inventory lasts.
Automakers are scrambling to find alternative parts suppliers to replace those disabled by the magnitude 9.0 quake.
The disaster-stricken northeast is home mostly to tertiary parts-makers — the tiny machine shops that make parts for secondary and other suppliers.
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