I read an article this morning that Infiniti is closing its factories in Japan on Monday July 23 due to the the recent earthquake. Many of their parts suppliers were damaged. No indication was given as to how long this shutdown may last. Has anyone else heard about this? Also will this delay G37shipments? Mine is due for September delivery.

 

http://autos.canada.com/news/story.h...e-3d71ffad3625

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx3926082.html

http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstP...?photoid=22764

 

Interesting . . . A delay would definitely cross my mind, if I were waiting on a new car. More interesting, is that . . . Will the dealerships take advantage of a potential new car inventory delay/shortage and mark new car cost up? Time will tell . . .

 

In the article it was stated that Nissan would perfrom extra shifts to make up for the shut down, so I doubt there will be any disruption to the supply. I am sure Nissan/Infiniti had a plan in case this happened, the region is known for earthquakes.

 

Most OEMs in JAPAN use the TPM (Toyota Production Manufacturing) or similar variants... part of the system is that alot of the production is in JIT (Just In Time) where a part (say a door panel) is shipped from its supplier/ partner just before it needs to be assembled such that the Inventory cost can be reduced...

It has been working really well for the Japanese OEMs in terms of cost savings...but I guess I see the downside now....

=> Toyota and Nissan stopped a few plants' production

 

More good news for us waiting on our G37's. KFI radio in LA just reported that LA/Long Beach dock workers have delivered their last, best, and final offer to management this morning. If their offer is rejected, a strike could come as early as Monday. 40% of all goods entering the US come through these 2 ports.

 

So what you're saying is 60% of all goods come from ports OTHER than the Long Beach ports....

Nothing to worry about

 

I really wouldn't worry unless Infiniti releases a statement saying that their production / distribution was effected by the earthquake. I don't think they've released such a statement, have they?

 

The earthquake was a act of god, but what is with all of these dock worker strikes. I remember reading about this problem when the 07 sedans were comin in?

 

They should just make the G in Mexico instead. Then they won't have to worry about shipping it across sea. Just have the amigos throw them bad boys over the fence.

 

I think build quality goes down when a car is built in a different country. Keep it to the Japanese to build their cars. The European car companies’ build quality went down with their US built models, I believe.

I would not be that worried; if there is a delay, it should not be more than a month.

 

That should be 40% of all good entering the U.S. via U.S. west coast ports (Long Beach, LA, Richmond, Portland and Seattle) come through the Long Beach and LA ports. But, since the Long Beach port is almost 100% occupied by Toyota imports, a dock strike at LA will not have huge impact on Nissan/Infiniti deliveries. Plus, the Mexico and Vancouver ports are available to supplement the other west coast ports.

 

Statistically speaking, both Honda, Nissan and Toyota would tell you that you are dead wrong. Their U.S. and Canadian plants produce cars equal to or exceeding their Japanese produced cars as far as quality of production is concerned.

You are entitled to your opinion, but, in this case, your opinion is soundly refuted by the facts.

 

The day after the strike, Nissan announced a two day closure of certain plants due to the piston ring and oil seal delays from the major supplier factory at the heart of the earthquake.

 

Got facts?