Toyota halts production in Japan due to steel shortage

A steel shortage will force Toyota to suspend all auto production in Japan between February 8 and 13. Following a Sunday off, assembly will begin again on February 15. The manufacturing problem won't affect factories outside of Japan.

The problem started because an explosion at Toyota supplier Aichi Steel Corporation on January 8 damaged the site's ability to produce steel for engines, transmissions, and chassis, according to Reuters. The company now only has enough parts to build vehicles through February 6. To solve this serious issue the automaker might ask Aichi to use alternate production lines, or it could even source steel from other suppliers.

This factory shutdown affects Toyota worldwide because the company exports nearly half of its production out of Japan, according to Reuters. A Toyota US spokesperson told Autoblog the division hadn't yet received details how the steel shortage would affect vehicle deliveries here, but he expected that info soon. Show full PR text Statement Regarding Suspension of Production at Plants in Japan

Toyota City, Japan, February 1, 2016?Due to parts shortages resulting from an explosion that occurred on January 8 at an Aichi Steel Corporation (Aichi Steel) manufacturing facility, Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) will suspend all production on its vehicle assembly lines within Japan from February 8 through 13.

Operations are scheduled to recommence on February 15, and vehicle production on lines outside Japan will not be suspended.

Toyota will continue to take any measures necessary to minimize the impact of this incident on vehicle production. Such measures may include production on alternate lines operated by Aichi Steel and procurement from other steelmakers.

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