Kawasaki Motors Europe CEO takes stock

Six days after the terrible earthquake, the Managing Director of Kawasaki Motos Europe makes an initial assessment: showing solidarity with his fellow citizens, Yasushi Kawakami also declares himself confident about the activities of the Greens.

As Kawasaki France told us earlier this week (read), Kawasaki Motors Europe assures us that "the main production site for Kawasaki motorcycles located in Akashi near Kobe in Japan was not affected by the earthquake of week".

Likewise, neither the earthquake nor the resulting tsunami affected the Kawasaki motorcycle factory in Thailand. According to the Greens, it does not suffer either from "supplier sourcing issues and continues to manufacture mid-size motorcycles at usual production levels".

On the other hand, the situation is more delicate for the Akashi complex, dependent on numerous suppliers and external manufacturers of components, spread all over the Japanese peninsula and who, in normal times, deliver their parts "on a daily basis".

"With production targets going until March 16, the factory will temporarily stop production on all production lines except one on March 17 and 18, and will suspend all production on March 21 which is a public holiday in Japan.", thus announce the unfortunate Ninjas.

"Confident that any production shortfall can be included in additional business for the rest of the month, the company does its best to combine the need to keep the business running smoothly with understandable humanitarian priorities that require urgent attention in devastated areas of Japan".

Having left for the factory for a series of meetings, Mr Yasushi Kawakami, General Manager of Kawasaki Motors Europe concludes: "We hope that there will be no significant production delays and that the supply of motorcycles and spare parts will remain broadly unchanged despite the planned shutdowns. Kawasaki staff in Japan, and around the world, would like to extend their sincere compassion and support to all who continue to be affected by this terrible event.".

Matthieu BRETILLE – Manufacturer photos

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