The PC component supply chain has been little affected by the earthquake-tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, as component makers have moved most of their production to China along with PC makers.
Only a small portion of PC-use print circuited board (PCB) and passive component production remains in northeastern Japan, the area hit hardest by the disaster.
But northeastern Japan is the hub of the country's automotive production, with over 171 related players located there. Therefore, supply of automotive electronic components will feel more impact of the disaster.
Japan-based automotive companies' plants and status after earthquake | |||
Player | Major products | Plant location in Japan | Earthquake impact |
Toyota | Car assembly, car battery | Miyagi and Iwate | Both plants were shut down. The plants mainly houses assembly lines for Central and Corolla cars for the US market. The Iwate plant also produces battery for HV car. |
Honda | Car assembly, car electronics | Sayama, Ogawa, Suzuka and Hamamatsu, | The plants were all shut down until March 14. |
Nissan | Car electronics | Tochigi, Yokohama, Iwaki, Oppama and Zama | The plants were all shut down until March 14. |
Ahresty | Car electronics | Tochigi and Yamagata | Temporarily shut down |
Suzuki | Car assembly | Six plants including those in Takatsuka, Kosai and Iwata | The plants were all shut down until March 15 |
Source: Digitimes Research, March 2011