Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha earthquake update

The main motorcycle production facilities for Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha have been unaffected by last week's earthquake in Japan, according to staff at the huge industrial complexes.

While the companies, like Honda, have been forced to temporarily halt production because of supply issues, they are confident of making up the shortfalls over coming weeks –while treading the delicate line between running successful businesses and coming to grips with the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the devastated regions.

Kawasaki’s Thai-based motorcycle factory remains unaffected by vendor supply issues and continues to manufacture mid-capacity motorcycles at full production levels.

“We hope that there will be no significant production delays and that the supply of motorcycles and spare parts will remain largely unaffected by any planned stoppages”, said Mr Yasushi Kawakami, the Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe who is at the factory this week for a series of scheduled meetings. “Kawasaki staff in Japan, and across the world, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to those who continue to be affected by this terrible event."

Suzuki Motor Corporation has donated 30,000,000 Yen ($A373,000) to the relief effort, while Kawasaki Heavy Industries will donate 100 million yen ($A1.325 million), as well as supplying 30 motorcycles, five wheel loaders made by KCM, and three crushing machines made by EarthTechnica.

Yamaha's relief package consists of 4000 water bottles, 170 blankets, 5400 portable toilets, 500 generators, 300,000 surgical masks and 139 PAS electrically powered bicycles.

The Australian Red Cross is also running an appeal.