Along with revealing that a few models will get a delayed fall launch, Honda’s latest production update shared on Monday gave a glimpse as to which specific units will be in the shortest supply as the automaker attempts to ramp up production again, following the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Honda stressed it will bring in only a very limited number of Japan-built vehicles to the North American market for the remainder of the year. Models such as the Honda Fit, CR-Z, Insight and Civic Hybrid, and the Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and RL will likely be in very limited supply until later in the year.

The automaker also noted that production of the all-new 2012 Honda Civic will be at significantly reduced levels, at least through the summer months.

“While dealers will continue to receive product, supply will be severely restricted with limited availability of certain models,” Honda officials stressed.

The OEM went on to mention the fall launch of the all-new 2012 CR-V will be delayed by at least one month. To bridge to the launch of the new model, Honda intends to extend production of the current 2011 CR-V.

Furthermore due to problems with the supply of Japan-sourced paint pigment that adds a shiny luster, Honda conceded certain colors of vehicles may be in short supply.

“Honda is working diligently to find a suitable replacement for such paints, or to reconfigure its model line with alternative exterior colors. This situation varies by model and production facility,” the automaker explained.

Monday’s update came less than a week after Honda revealed production volumes will remain at approximately 50 percent until the end of June.

As the supply of parts remains fluid, Honda indicated that decisions concerning production from July on will be made “step-by-step while monitoring the situation.” The automaker is using this strategy in hopes of moving toward the expected normalization of production in Japan before the end of this year.

“Overall automobile production volume will remain at significantly reduced levels as we continue to operate at adjusted levels of production through the summer months,” Honda stated again on Monday.

“Honda’s goal in North America is to normalize overall production sometime around the end of the year. This recovery will occur step-by-step, and it will vary based on plant and model,” the company continued.

Production Impact on CPO Performance

In discussing March’s certified pre-owned sales figures, Honda national remarketing manager Dan Crowe pointed out that dealers will likely have to make adjustments in light of the disaster’s impact.

“With the temporary interruption of new-car production and the declining new-car inventory, dealers will have to rely on their pre-owned operations to carry them through the spring selling season,” Crowe shared at that time.

“Since certified vehicles are a core part of our dealers’ pre-owned inventory, I anticipate our CPO sales will remain strong throughout the next several months,” he added.

Crowe said both the Acura and Honda divisions posted significant gains in CPO sales. Acura improved by 24 percent to 4,552 certified units sold, while Honda showed a 22-percent gain as it moved 20,586 CPO vehicles. Quarterly sales for the Honda brand were at 54,079 units (up more than 23 percent), with Acura posting CPO sales of 12,782 units (up more than 37 percent).

The rest of Auto Remarketing’s article on March CPO sales is available here.