HONDA is set to resume normal production rates in North America early next month following a brief lull as a result of flooding in Thailand.
Operations had been curbed since early November because of disruptions to the supply chain caused by the floods, but Honda have revealed that work will be back to normal in six factories in Canada and the United States on the 1st and 2nd of December. This should mean that those on the other side of the pond will soon be able to browse the full range of new car offers.
Major floods occurred during the monsoon season of this year. Chao Phraya was the most severely effected area but areas along the Mekong River basin also suffered. The torrential weather began way back in late July and continued for over three months.
By the beginning of this month, the reported death count stood at 506 while the floods affected over 2.3 million people and caused estimated damage to the equivalent of $5.1 billion. Water has flowed over six million hectares of land, of which over 300,000 is farmland, and covers 58 different provinces. Seven major industrial estates were swamped by as much as three metres of water.
A statement from the innovative car company said that it will decide what to do with regards to North American operations from the 3rd of December after they had examined developments relating to the predicament of its Thai suppliers.
The risk of further disruptions after the initial resumption of a full programme of work is still present, however, and some observers say that further supply problems may lead to operations being curbed for a longer period of time. Those on the lookout for a new hybrid car will be hoping that this isn't the case.
All six of Honda's North American plants had begun halving automobile output in early November as the adverse weather in Thailand caused disruptions to the supply of crucial electronic components. Though production since has remained uneven, the company have hiked their output somewhat and look likely to soon be back on track with the frequency of their production restored to a normal rate.
Honda has long since led the way in terms of new and exciting car design. From comfortable and roomy estates to thrill inducing sports rides, they are also synonymous with the development of the hybrid. It was Honda who first released a motor vehicle that combined the best of both the petrol and electronic world to the mass market and as a result they have become a significant player in the battle to become a more environmentally friendly planet.
Honda has also announced that the release of the new CR-V sport utility vehicle will go ahead as originally planned. The newly restyled car will be available on the market in mid-December.
