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Japan disaster affect parts avail?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by richardp, Mar 17, 2011.

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  1. richardp

    richardp New Member

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    The human tragedy, which resulted from the recent earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan, cannot be understated. Our sympathies are with the people of that nation.

    Much of uS manufactured goods come from the northern area of Japan. The same area that was affected by the natural and human-nuclear disasters there.

    SONY, PANASONIC and MITSUBISHI among others have announced that their manufacturing plants will close temporarily until the human tragedy is addressed. Electronics such as computer and video equipment will be affected.

    Does anyone know if the availability of Prius parts will be affected?
     
    #1 richardp, Mar 17, 2011
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Yes. Toyota has all shut down all of it's plants in Japan and has reduced manufacturing here in the US because of parts availability.
     
    #2 firepa63, Mar 17, 2011
  3. GSW

    GSW PRIUS POWER

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    I heard that the plant that produces batteries for hybrids may have been affected, but this may have just been a rumor. Probably a month of manufacturing delays for sure.
     
    #3 GSW, Mar 17, 2011
  4. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    Toyota said they are restarting parts plant on the 17th I believe and auto plants should be next week too.... so they lost something around 2 weeks time maximum... which will probably be solved easily with ramp up in a month or so, so I wouldnt be worried.
     
    #4 spwolf, Mar 17, 2011
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #5 cwerdna, Mar 17, 2011
  6. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    As I mentioned on the Volt thread, some GM vehicles assembled in the United States (including the Volt) are on hold due to a lack of imports of Japanese parts.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/business/global/18auto.html?src=twrhp

    .
     
    #6 Rybold, Mar 18, 2011
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I am not in the automotive industry, but am associated with electronics. Plant closure announcements started passing by today. Few appear damaged, but many are dealing with either complete or rolling utility outages. Here are a few samples from websites:

    TDK ... [Kitaibaraki-city, Ibaraki] The plant is not in the operation, the damaged parts being repaired. Besides, it has been affected by the rolling blackout planned by the electricity supply company ....

    ...[Nikaho-city,Akita] The production lines are ready for the production, which, however, have been affected by the rolling blackout planned by the electricity supply company.

    Rohm 1 ... Due to the scheduled power outages by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the following are the main ROHM Group sites subject to power outages as of ...

    Rohm 2 ... Water and electric power have yet to be restored at this time and preparations are underway to restart operations as soon as the infrastructure is repaired. In addition, a substitute production system is being formulated at the ROHM Kyoto main factory and ....

    Murata ... [Tome] Damage situation
    At present, we are confirming the details of the disaster, but we have noticed damage to some of our buildings and equipment. As of this afternoon, electricity has been restored, and we are making progress on preparations for restoring the buildings and equipment. We will inform you of the restoration status of other lifelines as well as the resumption of production schedule once it is confirmed.

    ... [Sendai] ... There was no significant damage to our buildings or equipment, but the lifelines of electricity (production use) , water and gas are still unavailable.
     
    #7 fuzzy1, Mar 18, 2011
  8. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    The earthquake in Japan will have huge effects on automobile production in both th eshort-term and the long-term. It will be months before vehicles are exported from Japan again. If you want a new Prius I would suggest you buy it soon.
     
    #8 malorn, Mar 18, 2011
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I would wager this could affect some domestic cars/trucks as well.
     
    #9 F8L, Mar 18, 2011
  10. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    Absolutely, anything that has even one part sourced in Japan. I know the manufacturers are scrambling for replacement parts makers. I know of thouseands of empty plants in the US. Maybe Obama will finally be able to create jobs in the US.....
     
    #10 malorn, Mar 18, 2011
  11. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    The parts will be hard to come by if the Prius needs warranty service.

    I don't believe Toyota dealers give free rentals.
     
    #11 tpfun, Mar 18, 2011
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Good thing the Prius is so damned reliable......
     
    #12 F8L, Mar 18, 2011
  13. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    There have been plenty of recalls for the reliable Prius.
     
    #13 tpfun, Mar 18, 2011
  14. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Its reliability record has been great. How many of these recalls required replacement parts?
     
    #14 cwerdna, Mar 18, 2011
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Until you purchase one and drive it past 100,000 miles your input is worthless IMO.

    Are you a mommy blogger for another car company?
     
    #15 F8L, Mar 18, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  16. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    Until every Prius salesperson drives a Prius past 100000, they shouldn't be

    selling them, correct ?
     
    #16 tpfun, Mar 18, 2011
  17. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    With one of the factories shutdown, the prices of these batteries are not going to lower anytime soon.
     
    #17 tpfun, Mar 18, 2011
  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I'm sorry, but what is wrong with this guy.:rolleyes: He has had nothing positive to say about the Prius or Toyota.
     
    #18 frodoz737, Mar 18, 2011
  19. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    Thanks for taking the time to highlight my posts.

    The Prius is a good car. The tragedy in Japan will reduce it's availability and the supply of parts for it.
     
    #19 tpfun, Mar 18, 2011
  20. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Your Welcome..."Prius is a good car".

    It is unfortunate that prices, parts and cars will be an issue for a time because of the tragic events, but lets not forget the unfortunate people of Japan in our prayers and with charity.
     
    #20 frodoz737, Mar 18, 2011
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