After The Monster Tsunami, The Super Tornado

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Mother Nature appears to have issues with the auto industry. First, a once in a millennium tsunami crippled Japanese automakers and suppliers for most of the year. Now, the most powerful long-track tornado in US history hit automakers in Alabama.

  • Mercedes closed its plant after a mile-wide tornado destroyed parts of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and caused minor damage to the Mercedez-Benz plant north of the city. The plant was shut down to aid employees “who needed to support their families, friends and communities that were severely impacted,” as Mercedes-Benz spokeswoman Felyicia Jerald told Automotive News [sub]. Mercedes will resume work on Monday.
  • Toyota‘s engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., is still without power after the twister toppled power lines Wednesday night. Toyota spokeswoman Tania Saldana Blersch told Automotive News that it is unclear when the plant will be reopened. Production at Toyota’s North American factories has already been suspended for Mondays and Fridays through June 3 as a result of parts shortages due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Plants are operating at half production on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
  • Other manufacturers, such as Hyundai and Honda were not damaged but are evaluating the impact on suppliers.
Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Mike978 Mike978 on Apr 30, 2011

    I was expecting some TTAC editor to say "Detroit based manufacturers" were gloating over their competitors choosing states that have a known history of hurricanes and tornadoes. Just glad TTAC was neutral on this one!

    • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on May 01, 2011

      No, but Bob King might be gloating. See, since Hyundai is unionized (at least in South Korea), they remain untouched by these disasters. All the non-union shops take a beating.

  • Obbop Obbop on Apr 30, 2011

    The main squall line producing the twisters passed to the south of the shanty. Been watching the many news reports on TV. I remain shocked at the many folks who despite not having a hidey-hole within the ground do not, at the least, reinforce an inner closet to assist in fending off flying projectiles. Six sheets of 3/4-inch plywood, due to plywood's nature, can do an admirable job of fending off and/or absorbing the fast-flung debris that can impale one's body. Even my closet door has multiple plywood sheets with hinges of the HUGE variety set into the shanty's frame with HUGE lag bolts penetrating far into the oak wood actual 2x4s used to build even cheap shantys back in the 1930s when the shanty was built. Try beating a hole through thick plywood. It takes some effort. Sure, flying trees, cars, etc can overwhelm my set-up but glancing blows, etc. may be survived. And, the "mutual support" provided by the multiple plywood sheets add "rigidity" to the entire "set-up" to assist in fending off tossed or rolling vehicles, etc. With no hole in the ground I am about as well-equipped as can be for a shanty dweller without a basement or exterior in-the-ground shelter. The cost is minimal but not "pretty," likely why many of those without underground escapes do not spend the minimal cost or effort to what may greatly increase survival chances or at least minimize injuries. Words alone do not convey the extra security created by even a minimal effort to assist in increasing survival odds and reducing injury amounts depending upon events. My closet is my friend in times of need. And, no, you may not clamber within if or when the tornado arrives. Off the shanty's dirt and begone away from my dumpsters ye nefarious nogoodniks.

  • David C. Holzman David C. Holzman on Apr 30, 2011

    Randomness is clumpy

  • Bryce Chessum Bryce Chessum on May 01, 2011

    Revenge for all the pollution mebe

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