New setback for Toyota production

Toyota has cut its global production target for May by 50,000 units and now only expects to manufacture about 700,000 vehicles because of parts shortages and the spread of Covid-19.

The marque revealed it is suspending operations on 14 lines at eight factories in Japan from May 16 because of the Covid lockdown in Shanghai, China.

The suspension of activity at those sites will last up to six days from May 16.

It follows an earlier adjustment to Toyota’s production schedule for May due to the impact of the global semiconductor shortage and takes the total number of lines and factories temporarily shutting to 20 and 12, respectively.

In a statement, Toyota apologises for repeated adjustments to its production plans, “which has caused considerable inconvenience to our customers, suppliers and other parties concerned”.

“The shortage of semiconductors, spread of Covid-19 and other factors are making it difficult to look several months ahead,” the company adds. 

“Still, we will continue to make maximum efforts to deliver as many vehicles as possible to our customers at the earliest possible date.

Toyota is the latest marque forced to rein in production as a result of Shanghai lockdown, which is in its sixth week.

Tesla has halted most of its production at its plant in the city due to problems securing parts for its electric vehicles, reports Reuters.

The company reportedly manufactured fewer than 200 vehicles at its factory in the city on May 10, far below its usual 1,200 units per day.