Data Shows Pace of Recovery for Auto Makers Hurt by Japan Quake

Anyone who believed Japan’s automotive industry was knocked down and almost out by the March 11 earthquake will be surprised by the speed of recovery.

In first-half 2011, production of cars was off 30.2% to 2.92 million units, while truck output fell 22.4% to 464,559 and bus builds slipped 27% to 40,188, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn. reports.

First-half 2011 car production down 30.2% in Japan.

But things are fast returning to normal. In June, car production slipped only 16.2% year-on-year and output rose 0.1% for trucks and 5.5% for buses.

Comparing major producers’ 6-month and June production performances shows rates of change varying. But, for most, recovery is well under way.

In the first six months of 2011, Toyota production was 62% of like-2010 levels, but output in June was 84.1% of year-ago results.

Nissan’s production was 81.7% of prior-year in the first half and 101.9% in June.

The same comparative production numbers from JAMA for other major auto makers, first half and June 2011:

Car exports are rebounding as well, down 20.5% to 1.63 million units in the first half of 2011 but only off 11.2% in June. Truck exports declined 22.1% in the first six months to 166,577, but only 0.2% in June.

A Ward’s study, “After the Earthquake: Fixing Japan’s Auto Supply Chain,” released in June, indicates production should be back at 90% of capacity or above by September.