Japanese automakers suspend production following severe earthquake

A severe earthquake struck southern Japan this weekend, killing and injuring hundreds. The calamity has also affected the economic activity in the region which hosts a number of manufacturers, including several automobile players.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have reportedly suspended production at their plants in the country. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), the world's largest-selling automaker, said it would stop production in most of its plants across Japan this week due to the shortage of parts.

“We are unable to source parts from some of our suppliers,” said TMC. One of its key suppliers, Aisin Seiki, has been affected badly by the earthquake that occurred on Saturday. The company has stopped producing doors, engines and other parts at its facility in the Kumamoto prefecture, as the area is still experiencing aftershocks. Also, it is now planning to shift production temporarily to other facilities at home and abroad.

Honda Motor Co. also issued a statement to report the production seize at its motorcycle facility near the quake-hit city of Kumamoto in the southern part of the country. Nissan, on the other hand, said it would resume operations at its plants north of the epicentre from Monday onwards.

Now, the way these companies recover from the latest quakes will likely show how robust efforts were made during the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands and dented their output severely.