Mazda Suspends US Dealers' Orders

The effects of the twin disaster which struck Japan on March 11 continue to wreak havoc in the supply chain of Japanese auto makers. After Toyota and Nissan closed their plants for a considerable amount of time, now Mazda announced a decision that might affect, in the long term, its US business.

Due to the effects of the quake and tsunami, Mazda announced last Friday that it is suspending the US dealers' orders for the May allocation for the cars manufactured in Japan. The decision, which comes after the car maker revealed the reopening of some of its plants, will affect deliveries of Mazda2, Mazda3, MX-5 Miata, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9, and Mazda5.

According to Autonews, Mazda is currently unable to say when the orders will be honored. Without going into details, Mazda's spokesman Jay Amestoy said that the sale process would for now not be affected, because the car maker has enough stocks to meet demand.

"We're fairly comfortable at the moment," Amestoy told Autonews. "We have a good supply and mix of models, trims and colors."

The March 11 disaster affected the Hiroshima and Hofu plants, which were closed from March 14 to March 21. Production was partially resumed, Mazda using parts in stock for the production of its models, but the continuing disturbance in the supply of parts from its partners will force it to close the facilities again.

Another Japanese auto maker, Honda, announced a similar order freeze for the US market, on the Honda Fit, CR-V, Insight, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid and Acura TSX models. Nissan is expected to limit the allocation of cars for the US as well.