Sensor Supply and Pigments stopped, Car Manufacturers Dizziness

 

Manufacturers such as Peugeot-Citroen, Renault, VW, GM, and Ford to factories in Europe and the United States a headache because one of the most important engine components, namely airflow sensor or air flow sensor, the supplies stopped. While the stock which had only enough for 10 days running low.

Air flow sensor for this machine costs 90 dollars, or USD 800,000 units, serves to monitor the temperature and density of the air flowing into the engine. According to The Wall Street Journal, 60 percent of air sensors that are used by car manufacturers the world comes from Hitachi Automotive Systems. Well, the factory where a component is located in Iwaki Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

Down 70 percent

Manufacturers that use components from Hitachi is a General Motors for the pickup made ​​in Shreveport, LA, and other factories in Europe, namely Eisenach, Germany, and Zaragoza, Spain.

In France, PSA Peugeot-Citroën schedule to reduce production at most of its factories since last Wednesday because of lack of these sensors. Models affected production is Peugeot 207, Citroën C3, and other models.

"Parts that have been sent only to meet the needs of 10 days,"said spokeswoman for the company and quoted by the Wall Street Journal. Therefore, currently estimated reduction in production could reach 40-50 percent, mainly Peugeot and Citroën factory in Madrid and Vigo in Spain.

Another factory in Poissy and Aulnay France and Trnawa in Slovakia. Meanwhile, Sochaux factory, Sevelnord, and Mulhouse in France-all-reduction could reach 75 percent.

Only the Peugeot factory in China and Latin America are not affected. Because the cars are made ​​in the region using different machines and sensors. Latest news, Toyota has halted production car in the United States and Canada.

Paint pigment

Another critical component of supply current is pengilap paint pigment. Because the pigment is only made ​​by a German company, Merk KGaA in Japan, and the plant is located in Onahama, one of the coastal city severely damaged by the tsunami and earthquake rocked. "We just see the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated that the greatest impact is felt in the middle of next April," said Michael Robinet, a senior analyst with research firm IHS Automotive, cited by Bloomberg.

"After that will be difficult for car manufacturers the world apart from the impact, especially after the second week of April," he continued.

The supply of other components that also disrupted the LCD screens for car navigation systems and mikrocip to monitor the flow of fuel and other engine work. However, the main concern is the air flow sensor.

In the meantime, also reported, Tuxedo Black paint supply also began to decrease. As a result, car companies in the United States restrict the choice of colors.

There are no estimates or explanation as to whether obstruction of the component supply will cause prices to rise car. The reason could apply economic principles, the stock is limited, prices go up!