[AutoGuide.com]

Mazda is planning to close down their assembly plants again, while stopping orders from dealers in the United States for their made-in-Japan vehicles.

The Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 are all affected. Only the Mazda6 and Tribute will remain in production at their American plants, although the situation could change in light of the parts suppliers affected by the earthquake. As of March 1st, the company had a 94-day supply of vehicles, but the automaker declined to comment on specifics.

In 2010, imported cars accounted for 83 percent of Mazda sales, a much higher number than other Japanese automakers, who build a significant proportion of their cars in North American plants. Mazda's factories in Japan are located in Hiroshima and Hofu, at the opposite end of the country from where an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident are taking place.

More: Mazda Suspends Dealer Orders For Japanese-Built Cars, Nearly All Mazdas Affected on AutoGuide.com

 

[fwdpwr]

This is bad. Not only will the events that took place in Japan cause problems with Mazda vehicles getting out to the public, but this will have an effect on all manufactures worldwide.

Apparently somewhere up to 5 million vehicles will be lost during the Japan situation.

 

[speed.2]

Parts are being shorted, plants in the US are suffering, certain plants in Mexico are suffering as well.

This has a ripple effect and it will last a while untill japan fully recovered to a point where they can operate with out the rolling blackouts.

As for 5million will be lost, i think they are already lost.