Manufacturer fall-out from EQ/Tsunami

[T4R_Finally]

Haven't really seen much about this but have been curious since the terrible things happened in Japan. But, of all sources, I saw a story on the local 6pm news the other night that reported that Toyota maybe temporarily closing some US plants and is also announcing a probable parts shortage starting in late spring and into summer. The ability to ship the parts and vehicles out of Japan has slowed to a trickle or stopped altogether. Makes sense and I really feel sorry for the people over there. Now I feel sorry for anyone over here that might find themselves out of work as a result. I'm not expecting to need parts anytime soon since I just got my 5th Gen a month ago. Hopefully they will get things back on track over there soon.

 

[Johnny Utah]

there was another earthquake over there like an hour ago. 7.4. Sucks i hope they get a break from all this nastiness.

 

[letters]

It is a shame what has happened over there. If anyone can overcome it, it is the Japanese.

I do fear about the parts shortage. Even though my 2011 is only a month old, a shortage could be felt for a long while regardless if something happens tomorrow or a year from now.

 

[-JD-]

I'm just in the market for a 4runner and was told by my dealer that my 4runner was on a boat just a few days ago.... Does that mean I might be getting one that was in the earthquake?

Does anyone know where specifically the 4runner is made?

 

[sp8ball]

I'm just in the market for a 4runner and was told by my dealer that my 4runner was on a boat just a few days ago.... Does that mean I might be getting one that was in the earthquake?

Does anyone know where specifically the 4runner is made?

South-Southwest of Tokyo, I believe.

Earthquake and tsunami were 150 miles north of Tokyo.

The shutdown was partially due to Toyota giving their employees time to regroup with family, etc.

 

[DaveS]

In addition to the main plant there are many small suppliers that feed into the supply chain. If just one part is unavailable from one of those suppliers, they cannot build new vehicles - that is also delaying them restarting production.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I'm just in the market for a 4runner and was told by my dealer that my 4runner was on a boat just a few days ago.... Does that mean I might be getting one that was in the earthquake?

Does anyone know where specifically the 4runner is made?

4Runners are built from Toyota Plant in Tahara, Aichi, Japan. It's along the eastern side of Japan as well just like Fukushima, so I'm not sure if it was affected by the tsunami. Most of the news shows Fukushima where the nuclear plant is.

I also puchased 4Runner recently and mine is on rail bound to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am expecting it end of April. I was concerned as well, but my dealer said the sea travel takes about 4 weeks (Japan to Canada). Then another two weeks from western to eastern side of Canada.Based on this information, my vehicle was already on the ship enroute to Canada when tsunami hit Japan. They said I should not be concerned at all.

 

[SeattleMike]

I made a map showing the location of the Tahara plant and the approximate location of the earthquake: Map link

While the plant may be shut down as matter of precaution, it does not appear any damage occurred there. The port also appears to be unharmed based on current reports.

I posted that the day after the earthquake in another thread.

This was released today:

Toyota To Resume Vehicle Production At All Japan Plants From April 18-27

As Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) continues to address its production situation in Japan following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, it has decided it will produce vehicles at all its Japanese vehicle-production facilities from April 18 to April 27. Production volume is planned to be approximately 50 percent of normal. Afterward, all production facilities will enter their annual spring holiday through May 9. A decision on post-holiday production will be made after assessing the parts supply situation. This development follows production resumed on March 28 at TMC’s Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi Prefecture and at Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. in Fukuoka Prefecture, as well as a planned production restart on April 11 at Central Motor Co., Ltd.’s Sagamihara Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture.

 

[bnekic]

4Runners are built from Toyota Plant in Tahara, Aichi, Japan. It's along the eastern side of Japan as well just like Fukushima, so I'm not sure if it was affected by the tsunami. Most of the news shows Fukushima where the nuclear plant is.

I also puchased 4Runner recently and mine is on rail bound to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am expecting it end of April. I was concerned as well, but my dealer said the sea travel takes about 4 weeks (Japan to Canada). Then another two weeks from western to eastern side of Canada.Based on this information, my vehicle was already on the ship enroute to Canada when tsunami hit Japan. They said I should not be concerned at all.

My 4Runner arrived at Portland, OR on March 26th so hopefully I get it in a couple weeks!

 

[Whistler RKT]

I was in getting my first oil change the other day and the owner of the dealership said he was told by Toyota that he's going to be waiting a minimum of 3 months, probably more like 6 months before he can get his hands on any more 4Runners. There's 2 left...

Guess I'll have the coolest truck in Whistler for the summer!

There's hundreds of lifted Tacomas in Whistler, but I've got the only lifted 5th gen in town and I get compliments on it daily.

Lovin' my new rig!

 

[Canadian144]

There's hundreds of lifted Tacomas in Whistler, but I've got the only lifted 5th gen in town and I get compliments on it daily.

Won't be any new Tacomas either, as production of them is shut down (due to a lack of parts). Dealers won't let you place order anymore either.

 

[more.cow.bell]

From the New York Times today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/23/business/global/23toyota.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss