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Toyota dealers in Laos facing supply shortage
Toyota vehicles are currently in short supply in the capital as the impact of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan is now being felt in Laos.
“We are certainly being impacted by reduced production in Japan as a result of the tsunami - we currently don't have enough of certain models and colours,” Lao Toyota Service Co Ltd Vice Managing Director, Mr Yasuo Philaphandeth, said yesterday.
“The supply shortage is affecting cars, pick-ups and Jeeps as well as spare parts. Demand is much higher than what we currently have in stock.”
Customers are currently waiting up to three months to receive delivery of their exact specification,” Mr Yasuo said.
Another dealer, Toyota Lao Thani Co Ltd General Manager Ms Vasalaphone Phimphachanh, said her company sometimes cannot supply a certain model or colour which can cause delays.
Toyota Lao Thani and Lao Toyoto Service are the only two official Toyota dealers in Laos, and both have been operating for several years.
Despite the supply shortage, prices are stable as they are set by Toyota headquarters.
“But we cannot guarantee prices because they fluctuate depending on different promotions,” Mr Yasuo said.
“Some unofficial Toyota dealers have increased prices,” he added.
“The impacts on Toyota's production capacity are already decreasing and I believe that Toyota will resume normal production and supply before the end of the year.”
According to a Japan Yomiuri Shimbun report last month, Toyota is on target to increase domestic production to 70 percent of pre-disaster leve ls before the end of June.
Shortly after the disaster, Toyota began restoring operations at several parts companies located in the Tohoku and northern Kanto regions affected by the earthquake.
As a result, the number of automobile parts in short supply has reduced from 150 in April to 30 currently.
Mr Yasuo said his company sold 2,350 cars last year, up from the 2,150 sold in the previous year. This year's sales projection was not disclosed.
Meanwhile, at Toyota Lao Thani, President Somsouk Phimphachanh confirmed his company exceeded last year's target of 200 sales.
vientiane times
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