Toyota will continue its three-days-a-week schedule at North American plants for the rest of April and May, due to continued parts shortages as a result of the March 11 Japan earthquake. Toyota’s original production suspension halted lines on Mondays and Fridays from April 15 to April 25, but will be extended to include April 26 to June 3.
When Toyota’s U.S. plants are building cars during that period, it will be at 50-percent capacity. Added to the weekly Monday and Friday stoppages, Toyota is suspending production entirely for the week after Memorial Day in the U.S. and the week of May 23rd in Canada, in recognition of Victoria Day. Toyota hasn’t said what its plans are for production stoppages past June 3rd.
Despite the enormous production cuts and work stoppages, Toyota has promised there will be no layoffs just yet. According to the company, workers will spend time during production stoppages doing training exercises and “plant improvement activities.” By keeping some production going and maintaining its workforce, Toyota is hoping it can make it back to a full production schedule as soon as parts supplies allow.
