A gigantic chemical blast disrupts operations in northeast China
Cars continune to burn Image: Xinhua |
Global carmakers are redirecting shipments to Shanghai and other coastal locations after a deadly blast ripped through the industrial city of Tianjin. Toyota Motor Corp, Renault SA, Hyundai Motor Co and Fuji Heavy Industries, which produces Subaru, have all shifted imports to Shanghai or Guangzhou.
While the initial blaze has been extinguished, access to the affected areas has been largely restricted, leaving automakers unable to assess the damage done to what is likely thousands of cars stored in warehouses close to the site.
Out of all the automakers, Toyota will likelybe the worst affected. It has already suspended its two final assembly lines near the Tianjin port, a move that will put back production by around 2,200 units per day.
Last year China imported 1.4m cars, although the actual port has an annual capacity of around 2m to 30m cars.