production

The company joined a growing number of companies in noting, however, that it expects a parts shortage from Japan will significantly affect the auto industry well into the year.

Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson said, "We expect production disruptions will significantly impact product availability from Japanese auto manufacturers in the second and third quarters of 2011.

AutoNation Inc (NYSE:AN) posted year-over-year unit sales growth of 19% for the month of March, selling 22,246 cars. For the quarter, the company posted 23% year-over-year growth, selling 54,190 cars.

Industry analysts say it could take until summer before factories are back at full output.

Japan is the second-largest supplier of cars in the world, and is also a major parts producer. The impact of the earthquake is already causing production cuts in other countries, including the U.S.

Honda (NYSE:HMC) and Mazda said they will resume limited production at several Japanese factories in April, but full production will depend on the availability of parts, which is another sign that the Japanese auto industry is sta

The company said that Oxccidental saw output to be 29,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day less in the quarter.

Still Occidental shares are up 2.06%, or $2.04, to $102.91.

Shares of Occidental Petroleum (OXY) are higher after the the company cut its production outlook for the first quarter, citing unrest in Yemen and Libya, reduced capital spending in Iraq and weather in the US.

Real GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2010 was revised upwards by the commerce department to an annualized growth rate of 3.1% from a previous estimate of 2.8%. The revision was in-line with economists' expectations. Corporati

The company issued a statement saying that it is too early to predict the location and duration of the interruptions.

Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) shares are trading 1.30% lower at $81.07 a day after the automaker said that production halts "are likely" in North America following the March 11 earthquake in Japan, shaking up the industry's supply chain.

Toyota (TM) is expected to resume production of three types of gasoline-electric hybrids, including the Prius, beginning on Monday, though it will continue to suspend production of other vehicle models following this month's earth

Honda (HMC) and Toyota (TM) are extending their shutdown of auto production in Japan due to a shortage of parts following a major earthquake and tsunami, the Associated Press reports. Toyota says its shutdown of 11 factories will

Last week Netflix (NFLX) announced a $100M, two-season deal for "house of Cards," an original series that puts it in direct competition with Time Warner's HBO. Sources tell the New York Post that it appears Netflix is also in talk

The State Council has also required relevant departments to conduct safety checks at existing plants, Xinhua News Agency said, according to Marketwatch.com. China has 13 nuclear reactors in operation with at least 25 under constru

Uranium producers are lower on reports that China has suspended approval of new nuclear power plants until safety standards can be reviewed and revised in the wake of the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan, according to reports.