Expressing its deepest condolences to the victims of the earthquake and extending its deepest sympathy to those individuals and families still suffering from the recent disaster, the automobile giant said: “Currently, we have been in production using remaining inventory of supplies.
"Yet going forward, we will start receiving parts from our suppliers and resume normal operations.
"However, as the delivery of parts will still take time to be fully reestablished, operation levels will still be limited, depending on the delivery status from suppliers. We will continue to provide necessary support to our suppliers to ensure their swift restoration to normal levels.”
Listing its operation schedule Nissan said vehicle production at Oppama, Tochigi, Kyushu, Nissan Shatai and Nissan Shatai Kyushu plants remains suspended between Monday (April 4) and Friday (April 8).
Production at Yokohama Plant and the casting and axle departments at the Tochigi Plant will continue during the week of April 4, manufacturing the necessary powertrain units for the specified vehicle plants that are now planned to resume production in mid-April.
Nissan said partial operation is planned to resume at Iwaki Plant in mid-April; complete reparation of facilities is targeted for the end of April. Production of parts for overseas manufacturing and repair will continue after April 4.
“The impact to our production since the earthquake until the end of March is estimated at 55,000 units against original production targets,” the statement said.
“Stock levels in the Middle East should allow for relatively normal business operations in the foreseeable future, but we are forecasting an impact on supply to the network of some vehicles and parts at some point. Our first estimate is that we should return to normal by middle of calendar year 2011,” Nissan said.
“This is a short-term impact and the company is galvanizing on a global basis to return to normal business as quickly as possible. As the situation continues to develop, Nissan Middle East will provide routine updates as appropriate,” Nissan added.
