Nissan output at 40% of pre-disaster level

Nissan Motor Co., Japan's number 2 carmaker, said Tuesday its domestic production in April will be limited to 40 percent of its output last year, with production to be severely limited over May in the wake of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Nissan, which resumed all domestic plants on April 18, aims to bring production to 50 percent of normal volume in May, while output levels in June remain uncertain, depending on the status of parts deliveries from suppliers, the auto giant said in a statement. On Monday, Nissan said its domestic production plunged 52.4 percent of the year to 47,590 vehicles in March, as the twin natural disasters in northern Japan caused extensive damage to many of parts factories that provide components to automakers. Nissan's two rivals - Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., also currently operate their domestic plants at 50 percent of normal capacity, and their production is expected to return to normal later this year.