Earthquake effect on buying new 4Runners?

[Johnny Utah]

Subaru, Toyota Curb US Production - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Subaru, Toyota Curb US Production

Japanese Automakers Want To Ensure Availability Of Parts

POSTED: 3:17 pm EDT March 15, 2011
UPDATED: 5:39 pm EDT March 15, 2011

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DETROIT -- Two Japanese automakers are scaling back production at North American plants as they assess their ability to get parts from Japan after that country's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Subaru of America said Tuesday it has suspended overtime at its only North American plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Toyota Motor Corp. also said it was suspending overtime and Saturday production at its 10 plants in the region.
So far, other Japanese automakers say their North American plants are unaffected. Nissan Motor Co., Honda Motor Co., Mitsubishi Motors and Mazda Motor Corp. all say they have not changed their production plans.
But that could change if lingering damage from the earthquake prevents parts shipments. Mitsubishi, for example, has enough parts on hand or en route to operate its Illinois assembly plant through April 3, spokesman Dan Irwin said.
"The situation is fluid, so we continue to monitor our supply chain and logistics," he said.
In Japan, auto companies have shut down production for the rest of the week as they assess damage to plants, ports and roads.
While Japanese automakers with North American plants use locally-based suppliers for many of their parts, others still come from Japan. The U.S. imported $12 billion worth of auto parts from Japan in 2010, from spark plugs to engines, according to the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.
Dave Andrea, the trade group's senior vice president of industry analysis and economics, said some parts had been in short supply prior to the earthquake, including semiconductors, precision bearings and tires. He estimated that most automakers have a three- to four-week inventory of parts in the pipeline.
"Once those start to dry out, that's where you see the shortages in the assembly plants," Andrea said.
Companies can ill afford those shortages. Subaru spokesman Michael McHale said the Indiana plant had been running on overtime because of strong sales of its vehicles. The Outback wagon, which is made at the plant, is currently at a 30-day supply. A 60-day supply is considered ideal.
McHale said he didn't know when overtime will be restored at the plant, which produced 150,000 vehicles last year, or 55 percent of the Subarus sold in the U.S. The plant also makes the Tribeca wagon and Legacy sedan.
Toyota, meanwhile, said the restrictions on overtime and Saturday shifts were designed to conserve Japanese-made parts. About 75 percent of the parts in North American-built Toyotas are supplied locally, but the rest come from Japan.
Toyota spokesman Mike Goss wouldn't specify which parts come are imported, but said the company typically has a two- to three-week supply of them.
Now supplies are uncertain.
"There's some pipeline of parts from Japan to the United States and we're trying not to burn through that too quickly," Goss said.

 

[scanny]

When world 3rd large economy is in trouble I think it will affect everything. This is a real big tragedy for Japan, I think they will recover and rebuilt in few years but for now it will take months to clear the debris and restore infrastructure. Not to mention troubles with nuclear reactors which could make large territories unlivable for people and delay ecomomic recovery.

As per 4Runners - I think that car shippping would be far down on the list for at least few months, so my guess it that we will see really big delays in shipping of Japan-made cars and parts.

 

[DEKA3]

Glad to see our priorities are in order here. But then again, we as Americans are pretty oblivious to the problems beyond our borders.

I recently went overseas and as an American, you cannot believe the remarks I got about our government and our society as a whole. Based on the OP's 'problem', I cannot argue with the majority of the world.

We have to understand that there is a world beyond our country. There are people other than Americans who lose loved ones in unfortunate circumstances. Have a heart and dont worry about how you will spend your hard earned $35,000. Others just lost their kids, parents, or maybe their entire family. But who am I to judge? Here I am sitting in my comfortable heated dry office, ranting about others. :violin:

Just my opinion...

 

[luv2eat]

My prayers are with Japan and especially for those who have lost everything. It is indeed an unimaginable tragedy. Sadly, there is more to come before it is all over. Take it for what it's worth.
Having said this, some of you have taken this thread way out of context. It is after all a 4Runner forum, is it not??? Where else would you post such a question? I don't think that the original poster showed any disrespect. It was a legitimate concern. I, too, have visited numerous countries in my lifetime, thanks to Uncle Sam. I was stationed in Japan for 3 years when I was on active duty. Yes, there are a few "ugly Americans" out there but as a whole, we are a great nation.
It's an emotional time for all of us but some of you just need to chill out!

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

I hope things do not get so bad that production stops in Japan, that is almost inconceivable.

I think it is fair to add that while buying American is great, the concept of buying quality Japanese products to support their economy seems like a worthwhile plan at this point in time.

Prayers to the people fighting the reactor meltdowns.

V8

 

[Screecha]

http://www.autonet.ca/autos/news/2011/03/16/17639426-autonet.html

Several automakers affected by earthquake

Vehicle production for several automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru, continues to be directly affected by the recent earthquakes in Japan,

Toyota has released a statement saying that the vehicle production that was halted at all Japan plants on March 14 will continue until at least March 22. A decision on when production will restart has not yet been made. The automaker did say that production of replacement parts will resume on March 17 in order to take care of current Toyota owners who may be in need of repairs.

Search for more auto news.

Several of Nissan's Japan plants are ready to restart production in the coming days, with the exception of the damaged Iwaki plant, as restoration efforts there are being adversely affected by aftershocks.

Nissan's Oppama plant, Tochigi plant, Nissan Shatai and part of the Yokohama plant are suspending operations until Sunday, March 20. The Kyushu plant and Nissan Shatai Kyushu are resuming production on March 17 and 18, while inventory of supplies lasts.

Operations after Saturday March 19 are yet to be decided though. Nissan's JATCO's Fuji plant and Fujinomiya plant, which manufactures transmissions, have received damage to the buildings and equipment, so operations have been halted until further notice.

Several Japanese Honda plants remain closed until March 20, including the Sayama plant at Saitama Factory, Ogawa plant, Tochigi factory, Hamamatsu factory and Suzuka factory. Though North American operations currently aren't impacted, that could change since some parts are supplied from Japan.

Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of Subaru vehicles, has suspended production at all of its Subaru Japanese plants until March 20.