Nissan to slash Japanese production in May due to chip shortage -sources (updated)
15/04/2021 14:02
(Adds background on chip shortage impact on global automakers,
Nissan comment)
By Maki Shiraki
TOKYO, April 15 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co 7201.T will
slash production at several
factories in Japan next month due to a critical shortage of
semiconductors, three sources with direct knowledge of the plan
told Reuters on Thursday.
Japan's third-largest automaker will idle its factory in
Kyushu, southern Japan, for eight days between May 10 and 19,
the sources said, declining to be identified because the plan is
not public.
The plant, which assembles the Serena minivan,
X-Trail SUV and other models, will aim to make up for lost
production once the supply of chips returns, the people said.
Two other domestic assembly plants, the Oppama plant and a
Nissan Shatai 7222.T factory in Kyushu, will cancel the night
shift over 15 days between May 10-28, and a fourth factory in
Tochigi, eastern Japan, will idle for 10 previously unplanned
days next month, the sources said.
Nissan did not immediately respond to a request for comment
on the production adjustments.
Chip shortages resulting from winter storms as well as
a fire at a Japanese chip-making factory have cost the global
auto industry tens of thousands of vehicles in lost production,
with the heaviest impact in North America. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2M72ED
The chip scarcity is also a result of an increased demand
from the consumer electronics industry as people worked from
home and played more video games during the health crisis.
Sanctions against Chinese technology companies have also played
a role.
Many Japanese auto factories are due to be closed for nearly
two weeks as part of the "Golden Week" holidays starting in late
April. With the latest decision, Nissan's Kyushu factory will
only operate for seven days, the sources said.
Nissan USA earlier announced production adjustments for its
North American operations. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nFWN2M70W9
(Reporting by Maki Shiraki
Writing by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by David Dolan, Kirsten
Donovan)
((ran.kim@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-4520-1228))