BAD news has startled the world automotive community. Four days after Japan was struck by an earthquake and tsunami, the Toyota Corporation, the world’s number one automaker, closed 12 of its factories. This happened because the nuclear power plant in Fukushima stopped operating, resulting in damage to production installation and a lack of energy supply.

“Profit is estimated to fall by US$72 million per day,” said Shiori Hasimoto, a spokes