The launch of the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic could not have been more ill-timed. Honda’s compact is available now, but with supply crimped by the earthquake in Japan, Honda dealers in the U.S. reportedly have less than two weeks worth of 2012 Civics on hand.
John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, told Automotive News (sub. req.) that, “We have about 10,000 or 12,000 of the new Civics in dealerships.” Since Honda typically moves between 25,000 to 35,000 Civics a month in the U.S., it seems obvious that supply is going to be tight.
The quake-related part shortage has forced Honda to cut production in half at its North American plants through early May and all 2012 Civics, except for the Civic Hybrid, are built in North America. Mendel says that the situation is “fluid,” adding that it “is changing everyday,” but for now, it looks like the launch of 2012 Civic will be hampered by the quake’s devastation.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]
