TOKYO-The Associated Press (AP)reports that the lapse in the auto industry supply chain, triggered by Japan's earthquake and tsunami, is about to get worse.

“Because parts and supplies are shipped by slow-moving boats, the real drop-off has yet to be felt by factories in the U.S., Europe and Asia,” the report reads. “That will come by the middle of April.” Koji Endo, managing director at Advanced Research Japan in Tokyo, told the AP that this disruption will have the “biggest impact ever” in the history of the automobile industry.