Tsunami fall-out continues to affect auto production

Figures released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (Jama) show how the earthquake and tsunami of March continue to affect production. According to Jama, Japanese automobile production in May 2011 fell by 30.9% (489 723 units) compared to May 2010’s 709 113 units. Vehicle exports were down by 40.5% – from 340 721 units in May 2010 to 202 833 this year. Motorcycle production is up by 10.2% to 53 105 units, while exports dropped 4.4% to 33 946 units. A shortage of Japanese components also hit South African vehicle exports, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). This year, the country exported 22 063 vehicles – a drop of 2 117 units or 8.8% compared to the 24 180 vehicles exported during May last year. According to Naamsa, “constraints on the availability of components from Japan impacted on the production of certain product lines in South Africa”.