Nissan Motor Co cuts output at 3 Japan plants

Tokyo, July 19: Nissan Motor Co.said it would suspend production for at least a day at three domestic factories due to difficulties in procuring supplies from an earthquake-hit parts maker.

The Oppama and Tochigi plants, near Tokyo, will close on Friday while unit Nissan Shatai Co.will suspend operations on Thursday afternoon and all of Friday, a Nissan spokeswoman said.

Lost production would be made up next month or beyond, she said.

The Oppama factory, which produces Nissan's smaller models, has been operating just one shift, down from two, since April due to slack sales.

Nissan joins most other Japanese automakers including Toyota Motor Corp.in announcing short-term production stoppages after factories making piston rings at Riken Corp.were damaged in a quake in northwestern Japan that killed nine people.

Mazda Motor Corp.like Honda Motor Co.said it would operate as usual for Thursday.

Reuters>