Honda Extends Factory Closings In Japan; Mazda, Suzuki Set To Reopen Plants

TOKYO, March 18, 2011: According to Reuters, Honda Motor Co. said today it will extend its earthquake-spurred production halt in Japan by three days, through Wednesday, while Mazda Motor Corp. and Suzuki Motor Corp. said they will reopen plants on Tuesday.

Honda's announcement came after the automaker had distributed a memo to U.S. dealers saying it would review each dealers' product allotments for vehicles to be built after May.

The suspensions affect all Honda and Acura models imported from Japan -- including the Acura RL and TSX, as well as imported versions of the Honda Accord and Civic and hybrids such as the Insight and CR-Z, which are only made in Japan. Also off-line: production of the Fit small car -- another Honda model sourced exclusively from Japan.

Japanese manufacturers are struggling to resume production in Japan amid a shortage of parts and workers in the wake of last week's earthquake and tsunami.

The Wall Street Journal said Honda has also warned U.S. dealers that it is not sure if it will be able to resume full production at certain Japanese plants before May.

Honda manufactured 69,170 cars in January in Japan, where it makes 22 percent of its vehicles.

Mazda, meanwhile, said it will reopen its plants in Hofu and Hiroshima on Tuesday, March 22. The company called the move a "temporary resumption of operations" and said it will decide later when to resume full production of parts and vehicles.

Mazda had suspended production of virtually every vehicle in its U.S. lineup except the Mazda6 sedan, which is made in the United States.

Suzuki, meanwhile, will resume day-shift production at two vehicle assembly plants and a motorcycle assembly line at a third plant on March 22 to complete vehicles already on the line, Suzuki said today.

Suzuki's foundry in Osuka will also partly operate on March 22, the automaker said in a statement.

The plants that reopen on March 22 are also scheduled to operate on March 23. Production after March 23 will be decided after further assessment, Suzuki said.

Hans Greimel and Ryan Beene contributed to this report.