Mitsubishi, Honda Halt Production After Japan Earthquake

Several Japanese automakers have temporarily suspended production after a powerful earthquake disrupted suppliers and manufacturing operations, raising concerns about vehicle availability.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture has forced several automakers to temporarily halt production. Mitsubishi, Honda, and Daihatsu have now joined Toyota and Nissan in suspending operations as supply chain disruptions continue to impact manufacturing.

The earthquake has claimed 18 lives and caused significant damage to infrastructure, affecting suppliers that provide critical components for vehicle production.

Mitsubishi Faces Supply Chain Disruptions

Among the affected manufacturers, Mitsubishi could experience the greatest impact on the U.S. market.

The company temporarily suspended operations at its Mizushima plant beginning on July 30 after suppliers suffered damage that interrupted the flow of parts. The facility primarily produces kei-class commercial vehicles for Japan, but it also manufactures the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (RVR), one of the brand’s best-selling SUVs in the United States.

According to Mitsubishi, production will remain paused until the company can fully assess the situation and restore component supplies.

Mitsubishi suspended production at its Mizushima plant after supplier disruptions caused by the earthquake.

Honda and Daihatsu Also Suspend Operations

Honda has also halted production at two facilities in Japan.

However, the affected plants manufacture motorcycles and power equipment, meaning the company’s North American automotive operations are not expected to experience significant disruptions at this stage.

Daihatsu, which does not sell vehicles in the United States, also suspended production at two factories following the earthquake.

While these closures are unlikely to directly affect American buyers, they highlight the broader impact the disaster is having across Japan’s manufacturing sector.

Honda temporarily stopped operations at two Japanese facilities following the earthquake.

Toyota and Nissan Could Face Greater U.S. Impact

Toyota and Nissan were the first major automakers to announce production suspensions after the earthquake.

Toyota has expanded its shutdowns to include a truck plant that builds several key models for North America, including the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota 4Runner, and Lexus GX, while another affected facility assembles much of the Lexus lineup and hybrid powertrains.

Nissan has temporarily closed two factories, including one responsible for producing the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80, two SUVs that continue to see strong demand in the U.S. market.

None of the affected manufacturers has confirmed when production will fully resume, as they continue evaluating damage to suppliers and regional infrastructure.

Toyota and Nissan are also assessing production losses after multiple Japanese plants suspended operations.