Multiple reports indicate that Japanese automakers, including Honda and Nissan, are facing production challenges due to supply disruptions from Nexperia. Honda has adjusted production plans at several plants in North America and Mexico.
In Mexico, Honda’s Celaya plant, located in the central region, halted operations on October 28. No clear timeline for resuming production has been provided, nor has the number of affected vehicles been disclosed. The plant primarily manufactures the Honda HR-V, with an annual output of around 200,000 units. It serves not only the Mexican market but also acts as a key export hub for the U.S.
In North America, Honda’s Alliston assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, has reduced output this week due to chip shortages. Vito Beato, the plant’s union president, stated on social media that production was cut by half starting October 27, with a full one-week shutdown planned from October 30. Workers have been notified of the temporary stoppage.
North America remains a critical market for Honda. In fiscal year 2023, Honda sold over 1.6 million vehicles in the region, a 36.2% year-on-year increase, making it Honda’s largest global market. Fiscal 2024 saw similar sales figures, accounting for 40% of Honda’s worldwide sales.
In response to the temporary shutdowns, Honda confirmed that some components supplied to its operations use Nexperia chips. The company stated it is taking all possible measures to minimize the impact of the shortage, reevaluating supply chain conditions, and strategically managing inventory. It is also exploring alternative components, though technical validation may delay replacements.
At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Nissan’s Chief Performance Officer and AMIEO Region Chair, Guillaume Cartier, acknowledged that Nissan’s chip inventory would last only until the first week of November, calling the shortage a "major issue."
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association issued a warning on October 23, noting that Japanese auto parts suppliers had been informed of potential Nexperia delivery failures, which could severely disrupt global vehicle production.
The Nexperia dispute has already impacted the global automotive supply chain. Beyond Japan, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) warned on October 16 that unresolved trade and intellectual property disputes could halt production for European automakers. Similar concerns were raised by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in the U.S.
The Dutch government recently froze operations at 30 Nexperia entities worldwide, citing national security concerns, and suspended former CEO Zhang Xuezheng from his role.
On October 23, Nexperia China clarified via an official statement that the unilateral removal of Zhang Qiuming as Global Sales and Marketing VP by its Dutch headquarters holds no legal effect in China. It emphasized that Nexperia China’s operations remain normal, with all business, production, and partnerships proceeding lawfully, unaffected by external decisions.