Mitsubishi’s Normal Plant Awaits Word from Tokyo on Potential Product Delays

Officials at the Mitsubishi Motors North America plant in central Illinois say they have enough parts to keep making cars for another two weeks but they're awaiting word on whether Japan's massive earthquake and tsunami could lead to production disruptions.

Mitsubishi Motors North America spokesman Dan Irvin told The (Bloomington) Pantagraph that the production hubs of the firm's parent company, Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Motors, weren't affected by the disaster.

But Irvin says the North American subsidiary is still waiting for updates from companies that supply some parts for use at the plant in Normal.

The plant produces about 34,000 vehicles a year and employs more than 1,000 people.