AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -
In perhaps another example of how interwoven the supplier industry is, Chrysler confirmed Wednesday that it is trimming overtime production from several of its plants.
 
Management said it is making this move as a cautionary measure as the Japan quake continues to have a ripple effect on the supply chain.
 
In a statement to Auto Remarketing, Katie Hepler, Chrysler spokesperson, said, "We have not experienced any disruptions to regularly scheduled production as a result of the issues in Japan.  We are, however, taking some planned overtime out of our production schedule in an effort to conserve supplier parts that are potentially impacted by the disaster.”
 
In related news, Toyota stressed once again that it has no plans to end production at all of its plants in the U.S., despite reports to the contrary.
 
The U.S. arm of the automaker put out a statement Wednesday saying as much, while its Japan counterpart did the same Thursday.
 
“As for Toyota production facilities outside Japan, in principle such facilities intend to continue operations by making adjustments through no overtime and no working on scheduled days off. Specifically, contrary to recent reports, there has been no decision to halt ongoing vehicle production in North America,” the company pointed out.
 
As for Toyota’s Japan facilities, the company said most of its production in the country has been halted.
 
“However, in addition to the March 28 resumption of vehicle production at Tsutsumi Plant of Toyota Motor Corp. in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and at Toyota Motor Kyushi in Fukuoka Prefecture, TMC has decided to resume Toyota vehicle production at Sagamihara Plant of Central Motor Co. Ltd. in Kanagawa Prefecture on April 11,” according to the automaker.
 
“The resumption of production at Sagamihara Plant is a part of the originally planned procedure to transfer vehicle production from Sagamihara Plant to Central Motor’s Miyagi Plant in Miyagi Prefecture,” management continued.
 
Moreover, Toyota revealed, “A decision has yet to be made regarding the resumption of vehicle production at other Toyota vehicle production facilities in Japan. TMC intends to make such a decision after carefully assessing the situation of its suppliers and of the areas directly affected by the earthquake.”
 
Reports are also coming out that Subaru has restarted production in Japan.
 
Several automakers have reported interruptions in their supply chains and production due to the Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami, including Nissan, Toyota, General Motors, Honda and Subaru, just to name a few.
 
While March new-vehicle sales did not appear to be held back by any production disruptions, many automakers are still trying to get a handle on how their suppliers have been impacted by the Japan disasters.
 
Several analysts are reporting more heated bidding on late-model used-vehicles at auctions as dealers prepare for possible inventory shortages of new vehicles. Auction volumes were already low before the disaster and dealers have been feeling the high prices for some time. However, analysts are now predicting that dealers will not see any price lessening, particularly on the more popular used models, for the short term.