Honda Stops Production In Japan After Computer Virus Hits Plant

Honda Motor Co. had to stop production at a domestic vehicle plant in Japan for a day after finding the WannaCry ransomware in its computer network.

According to Reuters, the automaker shut production on Monday (June 19) at its Sayama plant, northwest of Tokyo, which produces models such as the Accord, Odyssey and Step Wagon. The plant has a daily output of around 1,000 vehicles.

The virus affected networks across Japan, North America, Europe, China and other regions. The spread of the WannaCry ransomware, which affected over 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries, has slowed since last month, but security experts have warned that new versions of it may strike.

Production at other Honda plants were not been affected, and regular operations resumed at the Sayama plant on Tuesday.

Rival automakers Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. were also affected by the virus last month, when the companies stopped production at plants in Japan, Britain, France, Romania and India.