Osamu Suzuki, president of Suzuki Motors, is quite worried as to what the Detroit domino effect may have on the smaller Japanese brands.
His feeling is that it could result in fewer Japanese car manufacturers. Smaller brands like Suzuki, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Isuzu could be impacted in a way in which they may not survive; at least as we currently know them, or at all.
Says Suzuki: "There is a time-lag between what is happening with the Big Three US carmakers and the impact that will have in Japan. It is as if tsunami waves are rolling toward Japanese shores. I believe a real wave will hit us around July or August next year, with car sales hitting rock bottom."
He went on to say that the world was "entering a period in which more than ten Japanese carmakers could be consolidated into a Japan Big Three."
Related story here: Toyota and Honda looking at tweaking supply lines (here) to avoid possible disruptions.
estreka says:
05:01 AM, 01/ 2/09
I think Suzuki is in the most critical position (even more than Mitsu) because of their precarious position with GM. I have no problem with Suzuki or Isuzu vanishing because neither offers any original products. But it would be a dark day to see any other small manufacturer call it quits.
Contrary, I think it would be good if Honda or Nissan bought controlling shares in Mitsubishi and Mazda.