Spokesman: Honda Motor hoping to resume output at China factories after strike

Honda Motor hoping to resume output after strike

SHANGHAI — Honda Motor Co. said Monday that it hopes to resume stalled production at its auto factories in southern China by tomorrow following a strike at a crucial parts plant.

“We hope we can resume parts production as soon as possible, in the best case today, though it hasn’t re-started yet,” said Zhu Linjie, a company spokesman in Beijing.

“If we fail to restart operations today, it should be tomorrow,” Zhu said.

Zhu would not comment on the status of talks with workers at Honda Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., who went on strike May 17. The resulting lack of transmissions and engine parts forced Honda to shut production at its four assembly plants last week.

“Since the problem stems from demands for higher wages at our parts factory, we want to resume production there first. After that, perhaps one or two days later, our four car plants will get back to normal operations,” Zhu said.

The strike has affected two factories at the Guangqi Honda Automobile Co. joint venture in the southern city of Guangzhou, which make the Accord sedan and Odyssey minivan. Dongfeng Honda in central Hubei province, which produces the Civic and CRV SUV, also suspended output.

Guangzhou-based Honda Automobile China, which has a daily capacity of 120 Jazz models, was expected to partially resume operations and produce about 50 vehicles on Monday.

Honda’s parts factory, located in Guangdong province, employs 1,900 people.