Honda to Halt Part of Japanese Production

Honda will halt part of its Japanese automobile production due to that the engine parts supplier Riken Corp. is unable to resume operations after the major earthquake in Japan on Monday. Honda is the latest of a few Japanese automakers that has decided to temporarily suspend some domestic output due to the Riken Corp. closure. Honda will shut down production at a plant Friday which will result in a loss output of 2,000 vehicles. Honda buys engine-use piston rings and other parts from Riken. Honda will monitor the situation and decide whether it can resume production next week. The plant that will be closed produces the Fit, Civic and other models. Although, Honda will continue to produce motorcycles in Japan.