Quake puts a crimp on Japan's domestic automobile manufacturing

[charlie]

Quake Brings Car, Materials Output To Screeching Halt

TOKYO (Nikkei)--The devastating earthquake that hit eastern Japan Friday will likely deal a severe blow to the nation's overall economy, as that section of the country serves as a major hub for automobile, autoparts, energy and materials industries.

Nissan Motor Co. immediately halted production at its five plants in the Tohoku and Kanto regions, which absorbed the brunt of the earthquake. It remains unclear when these facilities, which manufacture engines and car batteries and assemble vehicles, can resume operations.

At the Toyota Motor Corp. group, two factories in the Tohoku region were shut down.

Honda Motor Co. suspended operations at its plant in Saitama Prefecture and at a parts factory in Tochigi Prefecture. Some building damage and 30 or so injuries have been reported at the Tochigi facility.

The Tochigi plant and Honda R&D Co., also in the same prefecture, will be closed Monday. The Saitama factory, as well as the Hamamatsu plant in Shizuoka Prefecture and the Suzuka facility in Mie Prefecture, will be shut down for inspection...

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110311D11JFA03.htm

[northoftheborder]

1. That is really bad news for Japanese economy.

[JuniperLea]

2. This will also wreak havoc on many California ports...

And the various automotive receiving/distribution companies, and the Longshoremen who unload the ships. The tentacles are far reaching.