Post-tsunami Japanese cars...
Asked by
gasman (
11345)
August 27th, 2011
I’m thinking about getting a 2011 Honda Accord after the 2012s go on sale, but I don’t want to invest in a car that might be difficult to repair because of unavailability of parts following the earthquake / tsunami disaster in March. Does anyone know what the situation is now, almost half a year later?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
7 Answers
Parts are being produced ahead of the original estimation after the damage. You should be fine.
Make sure your car wasn’t effected by the tsunami. I haven’t heard of any cases of this from Japan, but many cars that were swept away with Katrina were sold without telling the buyers.
Most of the parts for most cars are not produced adjacent to the assembly plants. (In fact, most of Honda’s assembly plants are not in Japan, anyway.) Supply chains that may have been disrupted by the tsunami should be operating normally by now, I expect.
Isn’t the Accord made in Ohio?
Yes, the Honda Accord is made in Marysville, OH and a vast majority of the parts are also sourced locally in Ohio. The keiretsu (parts companies in close ties to Honda) companies also moved production to the US back in the 1970s.
The Honda Accord has very few, if any, parts that would be sourced from Japan and hence it is largely unaffected by earthquake and tsunami. This differs from car to car and manufacturer to manufacturer..but I’m buying a 2011 Mazda CX-7 this week with absolutely no concern about availability of parts. BTW, I happened to learn that my particular vehicle was manufactured AFTER the earthquake, granted, in Hiroshima, in Kyushu (the south) of Japan.
Thanks to all who’ve answered – I can check that off my list of worries…
Excellent response by @geeky_mama
Honda is obsessed with quality control and your safety. They will recall parts just on the suspicion of a problem.
I’ve taken a sledgehammer to many a new Honda part just because the box was damaged per their orders.
You have nothing at all to worry about.
Answer this question
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.