Motorcycle Makers To Resume Motorbike Output In Vietnam

TOKYO November 6,2002; Dow Jones reported that Yamaha Motor Co. will resume production of motorcycles at its joint venture's plant in Vietnam Friday after Hanoi Tuesday gave the Japanese company permission to import more components, Yamaha Motor said Wednesday.

On Thursday, Honda Motor Co. also said it expects to resume production at its plant in Vietnam. It said production would resume Friday or early next week.

The two biggest Japanese motorcycles makers are currently in the process of clearing components, parked at a port nearby, through customs, the companies said.

In September, Hanoi abruptly slashed the parts import quota for 2002 for motorcycle makers, forcing Honda and Yamaha to stop motorcycle production in Vietnam. Honda's plant has been closed since Sept. 18 and Yamaha's since Oct. 17.

The Vietnamese government also Tuesday granted Honda and Suzuki Motor Corp. an additional parts import quota for the year.