The death toll continues to mount as recue crews search rubble following a major earthquake hit Japan this week. The temblor also has hammered Japanese industry, several automakers suspending production as they deal with damage at their plants. More from Headlight.News.
The all-electric Lexus ES 350e is one of the models impacted by the shutdown.
Emergency workers continue digging through the rubble after a devastating earthquake struck Japan, this week, killing at least 18 people and injuring scores more.
The impact extended into the Japanese economy, with at least two automakers currently suspending production, as are some industry suppliers. That could result in the loss of thousands of vehicles, including some Lexus models bound for the U.S. market.
Exactly how long the industry will be impacted is uncertain, Lexus spokesman Jean-Yves Jault told Automotive News in Japan. “The situation, including aftershocks and recovery efforts, is changing daily. We will continue to prioritize safety above all else in our responses and decisions.”
What’s new
A number of suppliers, including Aisin Kyushu, have been idled due to the earthquake.
An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale stuck the Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kysushu at 4:27 PM local time on July 28, resulting in extensive damage to bridges, roads and buildings, while also damaging the power grid through much of the region.
A number of factories were impacted, either directly or indirectly. For the auto industry the problem is that the loss of even second-tier suppliers can strangle operations at assembly lines across Japan. Among the suppliers hit was Aisin Kyushu which supplies both engines and doors to various automakers.
Toyota said it is temporarily idling a Lexus plant producing a variety of export models, as well as two powertrain factories. Nissan, meanwhile suspended operations at two of its own automotive assembly plants in the region. Honda also put production on hold at a motorcycle plant.
Toyota extends shutdown
The Toyota plant produces a number of Lexus models, primarily for export, including the NX crossover.
Shortly after the quake hit, Toyota suspended a single shift at its Miyata plant on Kyushu, about 1,000 miles southwest of Tokyo. It initially brought workers in the following morning but subsequently decided to put a hold on production through at least Friday July 31, Jault said. Its Kanda engine plant and a hybrid factory in Kokura have also been idled. Both are located on Kyushu, as well.
The earthquake hit at a critical time for the Miyata plant which is just ramping up production of the next-generation Lexus ES sedan – which marks the first time it will be offered with a range of gas, hybrid and all-electric powertrains. The factory also produces Lexus UX, RX and NX crossovers. About 90% of those products are geared for export, according to the automaker.
The closure of the Aisin plant is open-ended, according to Japanese automotive publication Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun. Aisin is a major supplier, primarily to Toyota, which means the industry giant might face further problems resuming production in the coming days.
More Auto News
- New Rivian R2 is the Result of “Creative Subtraction”
- With Lucid Facing Potential Bankruptcy, Could This Mark the End of the EV Start-Up Era?
- Consumers Tell JD Power Today’s Vehicles Are More APEAL-ing Than Ever
Nissan, Honda also hit
Infiniti’s flagship QX80 is produced on Kyushu, as well.
Several other manufacturers, along with a number of suppliers have been impacted by the quake.
Nissan has two assembly plants on the island and has currently idled some operations at both plants, with no hard date set for them to reopen. The primary reason for the closures, the automaker said, is due to disruption of the local automotive supplier network.
Between them, the Nissan Shatai Kyushu and Nissan Motor Kyushu plants produced over 250,000 vehicles last year, according to research firm MarkLines. But it’s not clear how much production they will lose at this point as some operations will be able to move ahead. The Shatai Kyushu plant produces the Nissan Armada and Patrol SUVs, along with the Elgrand e-Power van and Infiniti QX80. The Kyushu plant produces versions of the Kicks, Serena and X-Trail crossovers.
As for Honda, it supplies motorcycles from a plant on Kyushu that has also temporarily suspended operations.
0 Comments