March 27, 2011 – The mamouth earthquake and subsequent Tsunami has caused delays in shipments of cars, idled production of others and Ford to tell customers you can have it in any color except Black.
Cars that are made in Japan and shipped to the United States:
Acura RL
Acura TSX
Honda Fit
Honda Insight hybrid
Honda Jazz
Honda CR-Z
Honda Civic Hybrid
some Honda CRVs
Infiniti Rogue CUV
Infiniti Quest minivan
75 percent of Lexus come from Japan – the RX is made in Canada
Mazda2
Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda RX-8
Mazda CX-7
Mazda CX-9
Mazda5
The Mazda 6 is built in Flat Rock, Michigan, and the Tribute is assembled at Ford Motor Co.’s plant near Kansas City, Mo.
Nissan Cube
Nissan Leaf
Scion XD
Scion XB
Suzuki Kizashi
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Prius
Cars that have been idled for now:
Toyota Prius wagon
Chevy Colorado
Chevy Canyon
The Wall Street Journal reported that Ford has halted the paint color of “tuxedo black”, “royal red,” “red candy,” and “red fire.” on the Ford F-150s, SuperDutys, Expeditions, Navigators, Explorer, Taurus and MKS.
Ford Motor Co.’s Todd Nissen says there have been no disruptions so far, but does say that the batteries used for the Ford and Lincoln hybrids.
Losses from each car manufacturer:
For each production work day that Japanese light-vehicle production is not functional, 37,000 vehicles are lost. According to IHS Automotive, the industry produces 280,000 to 300,000 vehicles daily, or 13% of global output.
Production Losses in Japan for a week:
Manufacturer:Unit’s Lost
Toyota (incl. Daihatsu-operated plants):129,872
Nissan: 32,140
Suzuki: 32,296
Mazda: 28,192
Honda: 26,752
Mitsubishi: 18,552
Fuji Heavy (Subaru): 13,909
Total Light Vehicles: 281,713
IHS Automotive Estimates based on current and known shutdowns (17 March)
Reuters reports that Toyota has more risk because 38 percent of their cars are made in Japan, while Honda and Nissan produce 25 percent of their cars in Japan.
Lest we forget the people and animals in Japan – from yomiuri.co.jp, translated by a friend on facebook
Bab is a シーズーShih tzu who just turned 12.
On March 11, Bab became restless and started barking soon after the earthquake settled down. Her 83-year old owner thought it was a bit early but decided to take her for a walk anyway. Suddenly the PA alarm sounded. A tsunami was coming.
Living only 200 meters from the ocean, Bab’s walk was always by the beach, but that day Bab went the other way. She pulled and pulled her mom up the hill. When mom would get tired and stop, Bab coaxed her to keep walking and pulled the leash. When they reached the top of the hill, they stopped and looked back. The tsunami had washed away their town.
Bab is now living with her mom and 60 evacuees For her birthday on the 23rd, she wore her recently washed pink dress and wagged her tail.
Good dog.
Listen as Simon Constable, guest host of the John Batchelor radio show, and Amity Shlaes, Bloomberg, and Lou Ann Hammond, CEO, www.drivingthenation.com as we talk about the impact of the Japan earthquake on the world.
