Japan's car production plunges due to parts shortages

Japanese car production plunged in April as manufacturers continued to
face a shortfall in parts supply. Toyota, the world's biggest
carmaker, said its domestic production fell 74.5% compared with the
same month last year. Honda's Japanese output plummeted 81%, while
Nissan reported a 48.7% decline at its factories in Japan. Japan's
carmakers have been facing a shortage of parts as the 11 March
earthquake and tsunami disrupted the country's supply chain. As a
result, the country's top car manufacturers have been forced to
suspend or slow down production at their factories. Global impact The
effects of the disruption in Japan's supply chain have been felt well
beyond the country's shores. Leading Japanese carmakers have reported
a sharp drop in their global production numbers as well. Toyota
Motors, which has curbed production at its plants in various
countries, said its factories outside Japan produced 25% fewer
vehicles in April. Honda Motors has reported a decline of 43.5% in
output at its overseas factories, while Nissan Motors said its foreign
output dipped by 12.7%.
---------------BBC ONLINE