Honda impacted by quake

The earthquake that struck in Japan last month continues to affect the country’s automotive industry.

Honda is planning to halt output at factories making the Civic, Prelude and minicars, adding to closures that could push the sector’s total lost volume towards 20,000 vehicles.

Honda had previously halted output only at its motorcycle plant in the south-western region of Kumamoto, the epicentre of the 7.1-magnitude quake which struck July 28. Dozens of people have died.

Nissan reported on August 3 that it expected to lose output of around 5,000 units because of suspended production at two of its plants near the quake zone. Its chief executive, Ivan Espinosa, says the company is looking at ways to recoup the volume after lines are restarted.

The widening quake aftermath could culminate in lost output of nearly 20,000 units, when combining the impact on Toyota, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu. Previous estimates had lost output at 10,000.

Mitsubishi expects to resume full operation at its Mizushima mini-car factory imminently. The facility, which also makes kei-class vehicles for Mitsubishi and Nissan, has been shut since July 30.

Honda is suspending output at its Yorii plant just north of Tokyo from August 5-7 and at its Suzuka plant in central Japan, just south of Nagoya, from August 6-7. The Civic, Prelude, Freed minivan, HR-V and ZR-V compact crossovers, and Step WGN are made in Yorii. 

Honda’s automotive plants, located far from the quake zone, were undamaged by the quake and its suspensions result from supply-chain interruptions including chipmakers, reports Automotive News.