Japanese automakers preparing to resume production

March 22, 2011 11:45 am | Updated November 17, 2021 02:42 am IST - TOKYO

Japanese automakers are preparing to resume production after damage to power plants, suppliers and some factories after a devastating March 11 earthquake halted output.

The maker of Subaru autos, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., says it will start making parts for foreign production Wednesday and spare parts on Thursday but the shutdown at five auto factories in Japan was extended through Thursday.

Japanese automakers are expected to rebound once they restart production following the quake and tsunami that killed at least 9,000 people in the country’s northeast. But industry analysts say they will be hampered by power shortages and damage to roads.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, was deciding Tuesday when it can restart auto production at 11 factories in Japan, said company spokesperson Shiori Hashimoto. Toyota produces the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models.

Toyota resumed some parts production last week, Ms. Hashimoto said.

Honda Motor Co. suspended production through Wednesday and has not decided whether to resume production at its two auto factories and one motorcycle plant, said company spokesman Keitaro Yamamoto.

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 9.0-magnitude 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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