Flooding in Thailand could delay release of Honda’s 2012 CR-V

Massive flooding throughout Thailand has impacted the lives of 2 million people and also has affected production efforts for Honda and Toyota. As a result of the production setbacks, Honda might delay delivery of the 2012 CR-V to global dealerships until December, the company says.

A report by IHS Global Insight states that the flooding affected at least 230 of Thailand’s automotive-components manufacturing plants.

Ed Miller, who is a spokesperson for Honda, says the company’s North American production plants rely on electronic components that are manufactured in Thailand. The company doesn’t have an alternate source for these components. As a result, Honda says it will decrease its current production levels Nov. 2–10.

Miller says the delivery of the CR-V could be delayed by three weeks from the original schedule of late-November shipment. He also tells Consumers Digest that the production decrease affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline, as well as the Acura MDX and the Acura TL—to the tune of 50 percent of planned output. But he says production had been running at a higher level than was typical, so the company doesn’t expect a shortage of those models. Miller says Honda will release 2013 models on schedule and in full quantities.

Mike Goss, who is a spokesperson for Toyota, wouldn’t go so far as to say the flooding affects the production of any model in particular, but he says the company temporarily cut back overtime production on Saturdays.

Spokespeople for Mitsubishi and Mazda say their vehicle production isn’t affected by the flooding. Nissan couldn’t be reached for comment.

– K. Fanuko