From Industry Week
The tragic events in Japan could trigger some short-term changes in automotive market share over the next few months — potentially opening doors for the likes of Ford and GM.
That’s the view of Craig Giffi, vice chairman and U.S. automotive practice leader for Deloitte LLP, who believes supply chain disruptions caused by the disaster could cause a “blip” in the availability of “popular high-mileage vehicles” produced by Japanese automakers such as Toyota.
If that turns out to be the case, and gasoline prices continue to rise, American consumers who favor Toyota and other Japanese brands for fuel-efficient vehicles might turn to domestic brands such as the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze, Giffi says.
“American consumers have proven over and over again to be amazingly fickle in their car choices,” Giffi asserts. “Gasoline prices go up, they stop buying trucks. Gasoline prices drop a little bit, they start buying trucks. And it turns on a dime.”
Consider the other products manufactured in Japan. Canon Camera makes its products in Japan, China and Singapore, depending on the part or model. Sony has a chip manufacturing plant in Nagasaki, Japan. Panasonic makes some of its products and components in Japan including LCD televisions and some of its laptop computers. Bio Ionic, the professional hair care products company imports its ReTex system product in bulk from Japan.
The outcome is likely to be at least a temporary resurgence in American manufacturing. This could result in some long term benefits to U.S. manufacturers.
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