LOCAL AUTO PARTS SUPPLIERS SHOULD OFFER SERVICES TO JAPANESE COUNTERPARTS

From Amer Hamzah Md Sap

YOKOHAMA, May 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysian automotive parts and component suppliers should act quickly and offer their services to Japan's automotive makers after the recent earthquake, tsunami and ensuing radiation scare in the Tohoku region.

In making the call, Suguru Okubo, Deputy Director of Advertising Department, Daily Automotive News, said Japanese automotive makers were now looking to source automotive components and parts from all over the world.

"The possibility is certainly open to Malaysian suppliers," he said during a lecture for representatives of 11 Malaysian automotive parts and components makers who are now attending the three-day Malaysian Automotive Industries Exposition (MAIE) held concurrently with the Automotive Engineering Exposition (AEE) at the Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall which will begin Monday.

Okubo said Japanese automotive makers were seeking companies which had developed attractive special features.

"The Japanese automakers are aiming at future growth and will move to find strong partners and expand their network around the world," said Okubo, who has, in the past, visited various Malaysian automotive and parts and components makers.

He also said the South Korean government had asked its Japanese counterpart to source parts from there but until now, no Japanese car maker had accepted the offer.

Against this backdrop, he advised Malaysian suppliers to approach Japanese car makers and show them what they had to offer.

He added that Japanese car makers should now also look at setting up production facilities, globally.

Okubo also said following the March 11 mayhem, the East coast of the Tohoku region was severely damaged by the tsunami while the central region was critically damaged by the earthquake and part of Fukushima Prefecture was enveloped by the radiation leak from the disaster-crippled nuclear plant.

The disaster damaged various industries, in particular, automotive
related industries such as automotive assembly, parts and materials factories, resulting in Japanese automotive makers halting operations in the region and hampering production in non-disaster areas.

Rolling blackouts are expected to be implemented in coming months until the electricity shortage, resulting from the damaged nuclear power plants, is fully alleviated.