Toyota and Lexus face further production delays for May

UPDATE, Tuesday April 19: Toyota has announced it will pause 10 production lines across nine Japanese factories throughout May.

While a number of the models affected are not sold in Australia, Toyota will be halting production for the Corolla, Prius, C-HR, and RAV4 on certain days throughout the month.

Lexus models will also be impacted, including the LS, NX, and UX.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers, suppliers and related parties,” Toyota wrote in a translated statement.

“It is still difficult to look ahead for several months due to a shortage of semiconductors and the spread of coronavirus infection, but we will continue to make efforts to deliver as many units as we can to our customers as soon as possible.”

As in previous months, the Japanese car giant expects production output to be reduced for May by around 17 per cent, to 750,000 vehicles.

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March 21: Toyota will suspend production across 11 more plants over the coming days, as the after effects of a recent earthquake hamper its efforts.

On top of its production volume for next month being dropped to 750,000 units (more information further below), Toyota has announced production will stop at 11 of its Japanese factories for the next three days, owing to a lack of supply due to last week's earthquake in the Fukushima region.

Among the models impacted are the Yaris (including GR), Yaris Cross, LandCruiser (70 and 300 Series), Prado, RAV4 and C-HR, while luxury brand Lexus is also affected, with production coming to a temporary halt for its LC, LS, IS, RC, RC F and NX as well.

The manufacturer will continue to target a monthly average of 800,000 units between April and June.

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March 18: Further production pauses have been announced by Toyota for its global operations, also affecting luxury sub-brand Lexus.

Rolling on from similar shutdowns last year, the Japanese manufacturer's planned production output has been slashed by almost 17 per cent, down from 900,000 units to roughly 750,000 vehicles throughout April.

A wide range of models from the manufacturers are set to be affected in some capacity, with Toyota's Camry, C-HR, Yaris and Yaris Cross caught up in the pause while the Lexus LS, IS, RC, RC F, NX, CT, UX, ES, RX are also impacted.

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In its native Japan alone, Toyota still plans to produce 250,000 vehicles throughout the month, while its international operations will account for two-thirds of April's output – with 500,000 units planned to come off the production line.

Although it's not yet known whether plans have changed for the coming months as well, Toyota stated its three-month production average from April to June will be "around 800,000 units".

On top of the ongoing supply chain issues relating to semiconductor shortages and further COVID-19 outbreaks in south-east Asia, Toyota was dealt another blow earlier this week when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake was detected off the coast of Fukushima on Wednesday afternoon.

Production was suspended in nearby plants in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, with Bloomberg reporting that it restarted late Thursday afternoon.

The earthquake also forced Nissan to close its Iwaki plant, although it's understood the site was due to be shut on Thursday and Friday anyway for workers to be vaccinated.