Disaster effect on Prius availability....

I wonder if they could or would make Prii for the U.S. market at the factory in Thailand? It is currently producing Prii for Thailand and the Asian market.

 

Thanks for the article. Also, there's UPDATE 1-Toyota says to halt all production in Japan until Mar 16 | Reuters, which I posted in another thread.

 

I wonder if the ports--and there must be less functioning ones now--will be jammed up with relief efforts, thus hampering Japanese exports.

 

My fear is the "effect" will be much more significant than reduced Prius production numbers. Already, the politicians are questioning nuclear power generation here in the US. There could be a significant electrical power reductions here in the US. This eventually will have an "effect" on EV's. Coal is taboo; foreign petroleum is ridiculed without end; domestic petroleum is politically incorrect; elsewhere I read (on PriusChat) that wind generators are the cause of all sorts of health issues; solar is wonderful in the southwest, but not practical over much of the northern and northeastern US; natural gas seems to our only abundantly available energy resource, but the distribution system is virtually non-existant for automobiles and is vulnerable to earthquakes as well.

Earthquakes are a natural event in the US as well. Fortunately, we have been spared a major quake for some time. The National Geographic delights is foretelling the disaster that is ever present along the west coast, and now in the center of the country. From what I have read, Japan was well prepared. And, we know that California is well prepared (in terms of building codes and design considerations for buildings) but the "effect" will be devistating when the big one occurs. How about 23 Dec 2012?? LOL

 

If this gets much worse--and maybe that doesn't even matter now--nuclear will be dead in this country. It was on life support anyway politically. Spiegel, Germany's big paper, today said the nuclear era is over. Japan's Chernobyl: Fukushima Marks the End of the Nuclear Era - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

 

I'm not sure what the extent of the damage is or if the reporters even have the numbers correct, but on the news radio this morning they said that 77% of Japanese ports sustained some form of damage.

I did hear from a primary source (a Japanese-American on the news yesterday via Skype video call) that was in his apartment in Tokyo and he said the major industrial and commercial areas of Japan were farther from the quake and sustained little damage.

 

On Wallstreet this morning, all of the solar companies' stocks were up significantly.

 

Maybe there is some positive to come out of all of this. Perhaps we'll now concentrate more on clean AND safe electricity generation even if it costs more than nuclear. At least it won't bite you on the arse like nuclear seems to!

 

Pretty tasteless worrying about the availability of some car when so many people are suffering.

 

It's a car forum. I'm sure everyone in this thread is not interested only in the financial impact but also the human one.

 

I've called friends of mine that are Japanese-Americans with family in Japan to confirm their loved ones are okay and ask if I can help in any way, I have donated to the American Red Cross that has sent workers to Japan, and I continue to follow the news. I was actually reading a new article on Japan before I clicked a new tab open to checkout PriusChat. I ALSO care about the sovereignty of my country and the future of the human race. That is why I am concerned about global hybrid and PHEV production.

 

Here's a more thorough update, including a statement from Akio Toyoda:
Bay Area car dealers fear ripple effect of quake

Also, regarding the Nissan Leaf it says "A shipment of Nissan Leafs destined for the U.S. market left a Japanese port just before the quake hit. An additional 1,300 U.S.-bound Nissans were damaged before departing from the Port of Hitachi in one of the areas hit worst by the tsunami."

 

CNBC has been stalking us, new article up about Prius availability:

News Headlines

 

Yep, Prius shortage signals precursor to the end of the world! What will the Bay Area Car Dealerships do with out a Prius to sell?

 

The car shortage is but one indicator of the impact this disaster is having on the global economy. The worst is yet to come, unfortunately.

For a real taste of tastelessness, may I suggest you google Gottfried and Sulkin!

 

I hope Gottfried had Aflac because now he's out of work.

 

I don't think loss of tact is a condition covered by Aflac!

 

On the postive side, Prius owners have a slight advantage during petrol shortages such as is happening in Japan.

 

Updated Official Toyota Press Release From Toyota's Website:

Newsroom : Updated Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan / Toyota

I heard on the news radio this morning that due to the power plants shutting down and a significant reduction in the availability of electricity in Japan, coupled with earthquake destruction, we could very easily see Japanese auto dealer lots become vacant of new cars in about a month from now. When production resumes, supply will resume. But they said that there will very likely be a period of time in which the lots will be empty. Of course, this is for models that are assembled in Japan and not in the United States. Even then, though, the report said that many U.S. assembly plants obtain their parts from Japan (more parts can be shipped over when there is not a bubble of air in the middle of them (assembled cars). Source: KNX 1070 News Radio, Los Angeles, CA.