Photo: Honda
The Honda motorcycle factory in Kumamoto, Japan, will be closed until at least Friday, official statements from the house of Tokyo mention. The decision to halt production was made after two strong earthquakes hit Japan last week, and it is motivated by the need to verify that the employees can safely continue to work.
The first of the two earthquakes was a 6.5 one on Thursday, but the second one that occurred early on Saturday was a 7.3 tremor that caused a lot of damage in the country, leaving dozens dead and many more missing, and with the number of victims growing each day.
The management of Honda decided that the safety of the Kumamoto factory employees comes first and the factory was closed until Friday. Specialist teams will inspect the entire facility to assess the damage caused by the earthquakes and see if there are any hazards that could put the workers in danger.
In case problems are discovered, the factory will remain closed, visordown reports. Honda dealers have been informed about the production halt, and the possibility that it lasts longer if the factory needs repairs, or if Honda's suppliers in the region can't deliver their products due to the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The Kumamoto factory is the birthplace of some of the most important models in Honda's line-up, including the CBR1000RR Fireblade, GL1800 Goldwing, VFR1200G, NC750X, CRF250X, and the Silver Wing scooter. Thanks to the high volumes, the production being suspended for a week or so might not echo in the worldwide markets, so the event has good chances of not affecting Honda and their customers too much, at least in case things are not taking a turn for the worse.
"Honda would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Due to this earthquake, Honda will halt operations at its Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) until April 22, 2016. Subsequent production plans will be determined according to facility restorations and component supply. Honda wishes the Kyushu residents the soonest recovery, and will put all our efforts into it," the Japanese manufacturer adds.
The management of Honda decided that the safety of the Kumamoto factory employees comes first and the factory was closed until Friday. Specialist teams will inspect the entire facility to assess the damage caused by the earthquakes and see if there are any hazards that could put the workers in danger.
In case problems are discovered, the factory will remain closed, visordown reports. Honda dealers have been informed about the production halt, and the possibility that it lasts longer if the factory needs repairs, or if Honda's suppliers in the region can't deliver their products due to the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The Kumamoto factory is the birthplace of some of the most important models in Honda's line-up, including the CBR1000RR Fireblade, GL1800 Goldwing, VFR1200G, NC750X, CRF250X, and the Silver Wing scooter. Thanks to the high volumes, the production being suspended for a week or so might not echo in the worldwide markets, so the event has good chances of not affecting Honda and their customers too much, at least in case things are not taking a turn for the worse.
"Honda would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Due to this earthquake, Honda will halt operations at its Kumamoto Factory (Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) until April 22, 2016. Subsequent production plans will be determined according to facility restorations and component supply. Honda wishes the Kyushu residents the soonest recovery, and will put all our efforts into it," the Japanese manufacturer adds.
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