Latest update on Nissan’s status in Japan

Nissan among many in Japan with more questions than answers

We will tell you what we know without adding speculation, as real information alone is sketchy enough at the moment.

With the advent of the earthquake/tsunami, Nissan immediately shutdown all of their manufacturing facilities in Japan. No factory personnel were reported injured initially. All Nissan Americas employees working in Japan are safe and accounted for, and are either already home or heading home. All Nissan Americas plants will continue normal operation. (Nissan vehicles made in the U.S. include Altima, Titan, Armada, Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder. Nissan vehicles made in Mexico include Sentra and Versa.)

Six of Nissan’s facilities in Japan have reported damage: Iwaki, Tochigi, Yokohama and Oppama Plants, Zama Operations Center, and Honmoku Wharf (Yokohama City). Tochigi and Iwaki will suspend operations until at least Friday, March 18. Oppama, Kyushu, Shatai and Yokohama plants will suspend operations until at least Wednesday, March 16. (Nissan vehicles made in Japan include 370Z, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, Juke, cube, Quest, LEAF and GT-R).

Nearly 70% of vehicles sold by Nissan Americas are produced locally. These vehicles (listed above) will continue to be produced normally. Currently adequate Japanese manufactured stock is either in inventory or in transit. Some 1,300 U.S. and Canada bound vehicles (unspecified models) were damaged at the Port of Hitachi. Another 1,000 were damaged at the Miyagi Service Center. GT-R and 370Z  may experience delays. As we reported earlier, a ship carrying over 600 LEAFs left Japan on March 10 and is destined to arrive in the U.S. on schedule. Future production of LEAF, and all other Japanese built vehicles continues to be assessed.

Nissan is contributing over $350,000 (¥30,000,000) to the NGO Japan Platform as initial assistance for those in need after this tragedy. The two dealerships nearest the epicenter have experienced severe damage and are under assessment. Personnel status has not yet been updated. In response to a request from Yokohama City, Nissan opened up their Global Headquarters facility to the public to offer shelter, blankets and water.

Nissan Global Headquarters and the Nissan Techical Center remain operational. Future plant openings depend on additional assessment of plants, equipment and discussions with suppliers.

Now for the editorializing. The above recap accounts for only one company in one of the largest economies on earth. Think of the ramifications for all those impacted on a personal level. We urge you to do what you can to assist. If you have seen any of the video footage, the devastation is truly mindboggling. We are positive that any donations will be appreciated as so much was simply washed out to sea. We were initially going to recommend donations of clothing, but after reviewing the news, logistics are already being taxed handling already received items. Cash donations can be used for whatever is necessary. The American Red Cross has passed almost 92% of funds raised through to the recipient according to Charity Navigator. If you have another charity manager that you prefer, please leave a link in your comments so others may use it if they wish. The LEAF is just a car. The people of Japan need our help in just trying to regain some sense of normalcy in their lives. Thank you.