Honda suspends global travel due to swine flu

If there's one worldwide news story that's stealing thunder from the impact the global economic downturn is having on automakers, it's the swine flu scare. Now, the two stories converge as Honda Motor Co. has reportedly suspended all global business travel until May 6th... at the earliest. Furthermore, the automaker has said it's considering sending home the families of Japanese workers in Mexico, which is where the outbreak is most dangerous.

Japanese auto parts supplier Denso has taken similar measures, recommending that families of Japanese workers in Mexico temporarily return home. If the swine flu turns into an all-out pandemic as many experts suspect, we wouldn't be shocked to see the remaining automakers make similar recommendations.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/29/report-honda-suspends-global-travel-due-to-swine-flu/

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Toyota is getting ready for a war! Toyota "war room" keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts

Fearing that a couple dozen of its U.S. suppliers could shut down production, Toyota has established a "war room" to monitor suppliers and has begun to warehouse assembly components. While the move marks a departure from the automaker's "just in time" production philosophy, a mantra that associates stockpiling with inefficiency and waste, a bankruptcy by one of the Detroit 3 could knock-out a key supplier crippling the Japanese automaker's North American factories. It is a widespread problem, as more than half of Toyota's 500 U.S. parts suppliers are also under contract to supply parts to General Motors.

The "war room" is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, at a major Toyota assembly complex. Reviews are conducted by senior executives each week to monitor the supply chain. It's the Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers that has the automaker most worried, as the small companies are less visible on the radar yet their closure could be just as catastrophic. To help stave off supply interruptions, Toyota has sent people to its troubled suppliers to assist their performance and help them cut costs so they will remain afloat.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/

Dedicated Acura Financial Services Launched

TORRANCE, Calif. - 04/23/2009
American Honda Finance Corp. (AHFC) this week launched Acura-branded financial services to better satisfy the needs of Acura dealers and customers. The creation of Acura Financial Services (AFS) marks a major milestone in Acura history. This is just the first step of a multifaceted effort to further enhance customer service and raise the brand image for Acura, the luxury nameplate that pioneered the launch of Japanese luxury automobiles in the U.S.

"With our most recent ranking in the top two, three and four positions in the luxury lease segment of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, the timing is perfect to utilize our years of experience and expertise to create financial services that will meet the needs of Acura clients," said Stephen E. Smith, senior vice president of AHFC. "The creation of separate Acura-branded financial services parallels other moves to strengthen and differentiate the Acura luxury brand."

About American Honda Finance Corporation
American Honda Finance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the captive finance provider of consumer financial products for Honda and Acura automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, minivans, Honda motorcycles, Honda power equipment, and Honda marine products. In addition, AHFC also provides Honda and Acura dealerships with vehicle floorplan programs, real estate, construction and capital loans, revolving lines of credit and inventory insurance.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle. Acura also recently unveiled a prototype of the ZDX, an all-new luxury four-door sports coupe, at the New York International Auto Show that will go on sale this fall.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/793/releases/4995