Idling Japanese auto plants could affect North America production

Japanese automakers idled more plants for at least the next few days as businesses voluntarily limited electricity consumption and supply chains were disrupted in the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami

By Greg Gardner; Source: Detroit Free Press March 16, 2011

Japanese automakers idled more plants for at least the next few days as businesses voluntarily limited electricity consumption and supply chains were disrupted in the wake of Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.

The depth of the post-tsunami damage was still being assessed, and it was too soon to say whether production in North America might be disrupted because of a delay in parts.

Over the weekend, Tokyo Electric Power warned of massive rolling blackouts through much of the country, including central Tokyo. Most businesses responded with self-imposed restraint on power use, particularly at night when shortages are expected to be most acute.

Toyota is idling all manufacturing plants through Wednesday, effectively taking 40,000 from its planned production.

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