Car audio supplies may see some disruption down the line due to the earthquake tragedy now racking Japan.
Most car audio products are manufactured outside of Japan, however some high end chip sets and components are sourced within the country.
Fortunately, some suppliers said that March and April inventory will not be disrupted. But, it’s too soon to determine any comprehensive impact.
Clarion said its production will not be affected but port closings could cause industry shipment delays.
Sony said its products are made in Thailand.
Update: JVC noted its facilities are far from the epicenter of the earthquake and none of its employees were hurt or effected, however it noted that overall the situation in Japan is chaotic.
Most of Kenwood manufacturing is out of Malaysia, although the company operates a factory in Japan for its communications products. “Fortunately, because it’s the end of our fiscal year, we tend to load up on inventory so we are pretty flush with inventory for the foreseeable future,” said Kenwood’s Keith Lehmann.
Alpine has a headquarters facility in Fukushima, in the same Prefecture as the nuclear reactors that are under threat of a melt down. A spokesperson noted, “Our main concern right now is for the people of Japan and their well-being.”
Pioneer said as of Friday, it appeared its employees were okay.
CNN reported Monday that certain autos supplied by Toyota and others may be in short supply this summer as a result of the disaster. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have stopped production of automobiles.
The concern of suppliers presently lies with the safety of employees, as Japan is tested by its worst disaster since World War II due to the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the country Friday.
Many plants in Japan are closed to allow employees time to locate relatives and loved ones and because electricity is sporadic. Mass transportation was shut down on Friday and food shortages are plaguing certain areas.
It is possible that as many as 10,000 people have lost their lives say reports. And the country is scrambling to avert a meltdown at a Fukushima nuclear plant.
“Roads and rail, power and ports have been crippled across much of Japan’s northeast,” said Reuters Monday.
CEA SmartBrief is directing people seeking to make donations here.
Clarion has posted an earthquake emergency information tab on its Facebook page.
Source: CNN, Reuters, Automotive News, CEoutlook
Photo via BBC
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and businesses.
Thoughts and Prayers go out to everyone in Japan,
and everyone at Alpine in Iwaki.