Japanese auto makers announce production cutbacks
13 Apr 2011
In its first production cutback in Europe after the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Toyota Motor Corp said today that it would suspend production at five plants in the region from late April to early May following a disruption in supply of parts in Japan.
The planned stoppage at its European facilities follows a similar move earlier this month in North America, underscoring the increasing impact from the auto parts crunch the company's global manufacturing operations are faced with.
The latest plan for Europe also comes following Toyota's decision last Friday to idle its Japanese production of vehicles and parts from late April to early May after operating for two weeks from 18 April.
According to analysts, the widening impact of the 11 May disaster outside Japan could make it difficult for Toyota to get production at its North American and European plants back on track.
The company joins its Japanese rivals Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co that have already cut output volumes in Europe.
Nissan has plans to idle its UK factory later in the month, while Honda halved its production levels in Britain beginning this week due to disruption in its parts-supply chain.
.webp)
