NEW YORK -

Along with updates by Honda, Nissan and Mazda, Toyota shared its plans to bring more production plants back to action after the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan two weeks ago.

Toyota said Thursday it will resume Japanese production Monday of Prius along with the Lexus CT 250h and HS 250h. Officials indicated the Prius production will be restarted at their Tsutsumi plant, while the Lexus CT 250h and HS 250h will resume production at Toyota Motor Kyushu.

The announcement comes one week after Toyota in Japan restarted production of replacement parts, and three days after reopening some of its plants that produce parts for overseas production.

“TMC will continue to assess parts supply as it considers the restart of other vehicle plants in Japan,” company officials indicated. “We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.”

Update on Honda’s Situation

Meanwhile, Honda officials said suspended operations at a pair of its vehicle factories won’t restart until Sunday. The facilities expected to commence production again are Sayama Plant at Saitama Factory (Sayama, Saitama) and the Suzuka Factory (Suzuka, Mie). Work at those sites has been halted since March 14.

Also projected to come back online Sunday is Honda’s Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto) where motorcycles are produced.

“Concerning operations in Japan from (Monday) on, Honda will make decisions based on the status of the recovery of Japanese society as a whole, as well as our supply of parts,” company officials explained.

“We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers, and request their understanding during these challenging times,” they continued.

Meanwhile officials at American Honda Motor Co., in Torrance, Calif., have established a special website to channel donations to the American Red Cross from customers, suppliers and others interested in supporting the Japan disaster recovery effort through the Red Cross.

Originally established to accept donations from Honda and Acura franchise dealers as well as Honda motorcycle and power equipment dealers, Honda has opened the site to the public who may wish to donate at: http://american.redcross.org/hondaacura-emp.

“We are making this special website available for contributions based on the outpouring of support and messages of sympathy and concern we have received from so many friends of Honda,” explained Stephan Morikawa, assistant vice president of corporate community relations at American Honda.

“We are humbled and deeply appreciative of the concern shown for our Japanese associates, their families, and all those affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami,” Morikawa added.

Previously, Honda’s operation in Japan revealed a $3.7 million commitment toward the relief and recovery effort along with 1,000 generators. The Honda family of companies in North America has announced that it will match its associates’ personal donations to the Red Cross relief and recovery effort on a dollar-for-dollar-basis.

“Honda has been in close communication with the Red Cross regarding its need for material and equipment,” company officials stressed. “The company has supported the Red Cross in previous disaster relief efforts through cash, product and in-kind donations.”

Nissan Shares Latest Disaster-Related News

Nissan Americas confirmed Thursday that Nissan and Infiniti retailers are being notified that the company will follow a normal schedule for May ordering. Officials indicated all customer and dealer vehicle orders will be processed without delay and dealers will see no interruption in their ability to order Nissan or Infiniti vehicles.

Executives also said Nissan Americas manufacturing operations intend to follow a normal production schedule through at least April 1.

Furthermore, the automaker mentioned Nissan LEAF vehicle and battery production resumed at the Oppama assembly and Zama battery plants on Thursday.

“Our supply chain teams in Japan and America continue to work relentlessly to resolve the bottlenecks as they appear, so that our manufacturing operations have an uninterrupted activity to support market needs,” Nissan Americas chairman Carlos Tavares reiterated.

“As the situation continues to develop Nissan Americas will provide routine updates as appropriate,” Tavares added.

Future Mazda Production Still to Be Determined

Mazda Motor Corp. recapped that it temporarily resumed partial production at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants on Tuesday, producing replacement parts and parts for overseas production and vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventories. Mazda will suspend the production of vehicles utilizing “in-process” inventory at its Hofu plant starting on Monday.

“A decision on the resumption of full-scale production of both parts and vehicles will be made at a later date,” Mazda officials stated.

The company added that it “wishes to convey its heartfelt sympathy and concern for all people affected by the major earthquake in northeast Japan.”