Customers assured of cars and parts despite Japan quake

The Star Business: Monday, March 14, 2011

Customers assured of cars and parts despite Japan quake


SOURCE: http://www.star-motoring.com/News/2011/Customers-are-assured-of-cars-and-parts.aspx

The companies are UMW Toyota Motor, Honda Malaysia, Edaran Tan Chong Motor which distributes Nissan vehicles and Perodua whose technical and technology partner is Daihatsu Motor Company of Japan.

UMW Toyota Motor said its Malaysian customers would not encounter any interruption to the supply of Toyota and Lexus models as sales and order taking would continue as usual.

Delivery schedules to all customers are not affected presently.

Toyota Motor Corp has temporarily suspended production at all plants Monday, March 14 until Wednesday, March 16.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng said there were no immediate negative impact to the company’s business as there were sufficient inventories for both CKD and CBU models.

Nissan of Japan has temporarily suspended operations of all production facilities in Japan until March 16.

The Japanese company has also pledged to donate 30 million yen (RM1.11mil) to the NGO Japan Platform as initial assistance.

Honda Malaysia said supply of Honda models to Malaysia was normal.

Honda Malaysia managing director and CEO Yoichiro Ueno said, "Our inventory for the four CKD models of Accord, CR-V, Civic, City, and the other four CBU models in Malaysia is sufficient for the next one to two months.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and will make the relevant announcement when we have more information."

Honda Japan has suspended production at all its major plants for a week from March 14 in support of the nationwide recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, Perodua managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the devastating tsunami and earthquake in Japan has not affected Perodua’s engine components imports from the country nor cause any disruption to its manufacturing plans domestically.

He said between 10% and 20% of engine parts from Japan were used in three Perodua models – the Myvi, ViVA and Alza.

“Our hearts and sympathies go out to the victims and families of this tragedy. To express our heartfelt sympathy Perodua will be donating RM50,000 to the Japanese government through their embassy in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.