ID :
170621
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 18:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/170621
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Toyota to resume Prius output, Honda plans on hold
TOKYO, March 24 Kyodo - Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it will resume production of the Prius and other hybrid vehicles, while Honda Motor Co. said it will postpone the resumption of car assembly amid persisting difficulties in parts supply.
But Honda said it will resume production at a plant in Kumamoto Prefecture to manufacture motorcycles and other products from Monday. Nissan Motor Co., meanwhile, is preparing to restart full-fledged operations at its vehicle assembly plants on April 11, auto industry sources said.
Toyota said it will resume production of three types of gasoline-electric hybrids, including the Prius, on Monday while continuing to suspend production of other vehicle models.
The world's largest automaker aims to normalize manufacturing activities in May after the Golden Week holidays by resuming production of more car models, but the parts shortage could completely halt output in North America for two to three days.
Although the three automakers are moving to restore production following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this month, whether their supply chains will normalize is still uncertain.
Toyota has decided to produce hybrid vehicles preceding others, judging that they have strong demand in both domestic and overseas markets. In addition to the Prius, the cars subject to the output resumption are the Lexus brand hybrids HS250h and CT200h.
The three types of vehicles will be assembled at respective plants where they are normally put together -- the Prius at a plant in Aichi Prefecture and the two Lexus models at a Toyota subsidiary's factory in Fukuoka Prefecture.
''For the time being, we will produce the vehicles by cautiously confirming parts supply,'' a Toyota official said. The output volume is likely to be smaller than usual.
In North America, Toyota has informed employees at all of its 14 factories in the region of possible expansion of suspension in operations, reflecting that the shortage of components is spreading worldwide. It has already halted overtime production and operations on Saturdays at the factories.
Both Toyota and Nissan plan to restart manufacturing at about 50 percent capacity and gradually increase output by confirming parts supply.
Meanwhile, Honda said Thursday it will continue suspending operations to make finished cars at two plants in Saitama and Mie prefectures until April 3. The company said earlier this week that the suspension will last until Sunday.
Regarding production on or after April 4 at the two plants, the automaker said it will make a decision by monitoring developments in restructuring efforts and parts supply.
On its research and development center in Tochigi Prefecture, Honda said it will shift some functions of the quake-hit center to other business offices as it is expected to take several months for the facility to be restored.
Among other automakers, Hino Motors Ltd. will assemble cars on a trial basis between Friday and April 1 with the date yet to be fixed for resuming full-scale operations. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. has extended its production suspension by four days to next Monday.
Mazda Motor Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. will continue assembling cars using stock components.
But Honda said it will resume production at a plant in Kumamoto Prefecture to manufacture motorcycles and other products from Monday. Nissan Motor Co., meanwhile, is preparing to restart full-fledged operations at its vehicle assembly plants on April 11, auto industry sources said.
Toyota said it will resume production of three types of gasoline-electric hybrids, including the Prius, on Monday while continuing to suspend production of other vehicle models.
The world's largest automaker aims to normalize manufacturing activities in May after the Golden Week holidays by resuming production of more car models, but the parts shortage could completely halt output in North America for two to three days.
Although the three automakers are moving to restore production following the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this month, whether their supply chains will normalize is still uncertain.
Toyota has decided to produce hybrid vehicles preceding others, judging that they have strong demand in both domestic and overseas markets. In addition to the Prius, the cars subject to the output resumption are the Lexus brand hybrids HS250h and CT200h.
The three types of vehicles will be assembled at respective plants where they are normally put together -- the Prius at a plant in Aichi Prefecture and the two Lexus models at a Toyota subsidiary's factory in Fukuoka Prefecture.
''For the time being, we will produce the vehicles by cautiously confirming parts supply,'' a Toyota official said. The output volume is likely to be smaller than usual.
In North America, Toyota has informed employees at all of its 14 factories in the region of possible expansion of suspension in operations, reflecting that the shortage of components is spreading worldwide. It has already halted overtime production and operations on Saturdays at the factories.
Both Toyota and Nissan plan to restart manufacturing at about 50 percent capacity and gradually increase output by confirming parts supply.
Meanwhile, Honda said Thursday it will continue suspending operations to make finished cars at two plants in Saitama and Mie prefectures until April 3. The company said earlier this week that the suspension will last until Sunday.
Regarding production on or after April 4 at the two plants, the automaker said it will make a decision by monitoring developments in restructuring efforts and parts supply.
On its research and development center in Tochigi Prefecture, Honda said it will shift some functions of the quake-hit center to other business offices as it is expected to take several months for the facility to be restored.
Among other automakers, Hino Motors Ltd. will assemble cars on a trial basis between Friday and April 1 with the date yet to be fixed for resuming full-scale operations. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. has extended its production suspension by four days to next Monday.
Mazda Motor Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. will continue assembling cars using stock components.
