Vehicle manufacturer officials on Monday voiced concerns about possible effects of suspended operations at tyre maker Bridgestone Corp.’s plant in Kuroiso, Tochigi Prefecture, which caught fire earlier in the day, Dow Jones reported, citing the Kyodo news agency.
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An official at Toyota, which gets tyres for the Hiace and two other commercial vehicle models from the plant, said manufacturing operations may be affected, as it has only several days’ worth of tyres in stock, the report noted.
Dow Jones said that Hino Motors, which relies on the plant for tyres for large trucks, is considering seeking other supply sources, as some tyre types in stock at its main plant in Hino, Tokyo, “may run out within two to three days,” according to an official.
Dow Jones said Nissan is busy confirming its inventory level, as it gets tyres for 800 cars a month from the plant, while Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. may increase procurement from other tyre makers if operations at the plant remain suspended.
According to Dow Jones, citing Kyodo News, Bridgestone has yet to announce when the plant can resume operations. As the fire broke out at a facility for mixing chemicals and rubber, which is the initial stage of tyre production, all operations will be affected unless the mixing facility reopens promptly, Dow Jones reported.
