Honda Motor (HMC.NYSE, 7267.TYO) said it will resume production at four plants in China today after a strike paralyzed production, Reuters reported. However, Japan’s second-largest automaker said that prospects for production next week are uncertain as some workers still refuse to fully return to work. Workers are still waiting to hear Honda’s response to a list of yet-unmet demands today, and say they will strike again if they are dissatisfied. The carmaker said two assembly plants run as a joint venture with Denway Motors (0203.HK) and an exports only factory will restart this morning, while a factory run with Dongfeng Motor Group (0499.HK) will resume production this afternoon. Analysts said that Honda’s problem is caused in part by the fact that Honda’s transmission plant is not a joint venture. "If it were a JV, the Chinese side would have stepped in early on and it wouldn’t have gotten as ugly as it is today," said Zhang Xin, an analyst with Guotai Junan Securities. He predicted more disputes for other companies, particularly foreign-owned firms.
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