Toyota in trouble after earthquake

- Automaker Toyota is experiencing problems in the production of its cars in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Japan last week. By damage to plants include suppliers of the world's largest automaker has disrupted the production of Toyota's.

In the earthquake zone, the production of automotive components silent. The shortage of components will in the course of the week also be felt in other assembly lines. Thereby be put up to 56 000 cars of the brands Toyota and Lexus less together. Daihatsu will at up to 7,500 cars fewer rolls of tape.

Experts foresee the faltering manufacturing a decline in profits by 30 billion yen (246 million euros) in the current quarter. Given the most recent quarter for which the figures are known, this would mean a profit decline of 5 percent.

Unlike competitors, Toyota is more dependent on domestic production. Last year, Toyota produced more than 4 million vehicles in Japan, about 40 percent of its global production. Competitors such as Nissan and Honda with a share of 17 and 16 percent depending on production in Japan.

It is the second time this year that disrupted production Toyota. In February, the automaker closed all Japanese assembly plants for at least a week in the aftermath of an explosion at a factory that made parts for Toyota.