Parts shortage looms for Japanese cars

Manama, April 16, 2011

Bahrain dealerships of Japanese vehicles could face problems of spare part supplies from Japanese automobile companies as they slash production.

The impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has led to power supply restrictions being imposed on the country's industry, with the car and electronics' sectors being the worst affected, according to media reports.

Bahrain dealerships said there had been no immediate effect on the arrival of spare parts into the country.

Some said, however, there could be some problems in the future if Japanese car manufacturing plants continue to be affected by power cuts.

"There is still no shortage of spare parts and all is normal so far," said a National Motors official, dealers of Honda.

"We are still getting supplies from the Honda warehouses in Dubai and foresee no problems in the immediate future. However, we understand there are severe restrictions on the automobile industry in Japan and that might affect us in the long term."

An official from Ebrahim Khali Kanoo (EKK), authorised dealers for Toyota and Lexus in Bahrain, said it was business as usual with Toyota cars.

"We are carrying out all servicing and repairs as usual," he said. "We have no information from the Toyota headquarters on any supplies being cut or suspended."

An official at Nissan dealers Almoayyed Motors also confirmed there had been no intimation from the Japanese manufacturers on any supplies being cut.

"We are doing business as usual with all services being carried out as usual," he said. – TradeArabia News Service

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