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Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110401/OEM01/110409991/1329- #ixzz1IItx1I2B
Don't get me wrong. I feel for the people of Japan and would not want to wish this catastrophe on anyone.
Japan Auto Production Adapts To Disaster Reality
Also of interest, an AutoObserver contributor who has lived in Japan for 20 years talks about life in Tokyo, and reports "What we’ve also learned again, mirroring Toyota’s recall fiasco in the U.S. last year, is that Japan is not too good at crisis management; you know, acting quickly when the chips are really down. Why? Because the system is not there. "
Japan Post Quake: A Letter from Tokyo
When they do start to recover, though, imagine how many cars were destroyed. I saw what seems like hundreds of Suzuki Wagon R models damaged by the Tsunami.
Edit to add link:
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/05/japans-new-cars-sales-reportedly-plummet-to-l- owest-since-1968/
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/02/report-ford-idles-first-plant-due-to-japan-fa- llout/
Go figure!
So an American built, Japanese brand full size truck is finding itself in a middle eastern clash. That's global.
I cannot imagine what these folks have to be going through.
Honda's latest:
ALERT: Honda's Mendel says parts shortages could hamper U.S. plants for up to 3 months
Automotive News
It's a global market and the earthquake has disrupted parts supply for most all automakers.
Plus, lots of people prefer Nissans, Hondas and Toyotas.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110408/OEM01/110409889/1117- #ixzz1IxnQvTPy
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/13/psa-japan-automakers-have-lost-half-a-million- -units-since-quake/
"Do the math," Mr. Jackson said at the meeting. "We are going to be out of certain models at some point."
Quake Throws AutoNation Into a Spin (Wall St Journal)
That...smells funny. Sounds like a rumor to me. The dealer reps. did mention that they had a large supply of the manual version of the vehicle he bought.
Used Prii are apparently hot also, commanding a purchase price that are equivalent or more than a new model.
If you want their free-oil-change coupon book, you actually pay above MSRP for a Prius!
Toyota Motor Corp. has said that the natural disaster cut its operating profit for the fiscal year by ¥110 billion ($1.35 billion) from the forecast made in February as it had to idle all its domestic factories right after the quake and to repair damaged equipment at some plants.
The supply problems in the world's third-largest economy also hit some of Japan's trade partners. U.S. manufacturing output fell 0.4% on month in April, the first decline in 10 months, as Japan's disaster limited the supply of parts needed to assemble cars in the U.S."
Japan Slides Into Recession (WSJ).
I'm surprised Toyota profited at all.
Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, said its domestic production fell 74.5% compared with the same month last year.
Honda's Japanese output plummeted 81%, while Nissan reported a 48.7% decline at its factories in Japan."
Japan's car production plunges due to parts shortages (BBC)
Tom Doll, Subaru of America COO, said the automaker's inventory could drop to 17,000 units this summer, leaving some dealers without cars to sell. On May 1, Subaru's North American inventory was 32,800 units.
We'll be down to cash-for-clunkers levels by August," Doll said on the sidelines of an industry event here. "We're looking at retail solutions."
Doll would not disclose the nature of the assistance but said Subaru's global headquarters is considering a proposal. If approved, new programs will be unveiled by July.
Subaru's main plant is in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo. The company produces the Legacy, Outback and Tribeca in Lafayette, Ind.
Doll said Subaru could see a 20 percent drop in U.S. sales this year after a record 263,820 units sold in 2010. Subaru sold 216,652 units in 2009 and expected to sell 300,000 units this year.
Doll's biggest concern is the brand's newest markets. He said Subaru was able to increase its dealer body by adding former Chrysler Group and General Motors stores in the South. Now, lacking inventory, he wants to keep everyone happy.
.....He said the company is considering ways to help its retail network, including assistance for salespeople and customers.
Subaru already is extending lease terms by three to five months, offering maintenance programs and free accessories such as ski racks.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110530/RETAIL07/305309972/1- 422
Kinda stinks for Soob, which had been doing so well when everyone else was falling apart, to get knocked out by the earthquake this way. But I really question the wisdom of them sending 50,000 Camrys down the line this year in Indiana, when they could potentially be sending 50,000 Foresters down the line instead. Yes, they are in contract with Toyota to provide the Camrys, but surely Toyota would allow them to switch it up given it has a financial interest in their success.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Ding ding ding. It wouldn't make sense to retool Lafayette for the Forester since the shortage is temporary. And it's probably suppliers having a hard time so there wouldn't be parts to use in Lafayette either.
They have a new Impreza coming and simply won't have enough cars to sell.
...I figure that one day Impreza will be the last Subaru for NA sales still being built exclusively in Japan.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Heat Is On In Japan (AutoObserver)
Todo list for Japan's power system:
1) Build coal-powered plants.
2) Integrate power systems in the north & south of the country so power can be transmitted efficiently to the places that need it (this depends on whether millions are willing to buy new products & equipment to accommodate a change. If they can't do it quickly, then they'll have to stretch out the integration over a length of time [10 years?]).
Global Japanese car industry:
1) Source and build more parts where they sell the vehicles.
Although my last two vehicles were from Japanese subsidiaries, one of the important variables I use to make a car purchase is product support. I'm starting to save toward a down payment to a new car. If continuing problems in Japan hamper their ability to make vehicles a year from now, I'll have to review what the domestics, Koreans, and Germans have to offer.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Lighting.
unprecedented teamwork among erstwhile rivals helped everyone.
For example, automakers collaborated to forestall a much-feared summer energy crunch that could hammer production just as it ramps up. To lessen the load on the local power grid -- but keep plants running -- the industry agreed as a group to work on weekends and take off Thursdays and Fridays.
And don't downplay nearly unthinkable cooperation among competitors. Look no further than Iwaki Diecast Co., which makes aluminum engine parts. Because its plant was offline, Iwaki Diecast handed its blueprints to an unscathed rival who plugged the supply chain gap. Japan's Nikkei business daily chronicled several such sacrifices that sped everyone's recovery.
Finally, it was probably naïve to believe the gloomy initial forecasts.
Japanese executives are archconservative by nature. They consistently underpromise and overdeliver. It's a way of business here.
....Toyota's plants in Japan are operating at 90 percent of pre-quake levels. And even Honda, among the worst hit, aims to have its domestic production back to normal by August
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110613/OEM01/306139870/1424-
I read in a separate article that despite the quake, Suzuki still has the second highest days supply of any automaker - 80 days' supply in the U.S. Closely followed by Mazda at 76 days, apparently. Only Saab is worse, at 246 days (!!).
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)