Toyota to slash China output by 50-70% until June 3 due to tsunami

SHANGHAI, April 20 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday said that it will reduce auto production at all of its Chinese plants by 50 to 70 percent until June 3 due to parts supply disruptions following last month's earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.
The world's largest automaker said in a press release it has decided that ''vehicle production in China will be carried out at 30 percent to 50 percent of normal from April 21 through June 3 due to parts supply difficulties.''
According to Toyota, the slowdown will lead to a production drop of around 80,000 vehicles, impacting operations in the country it sees as a key market.
The slowdown will affect a total of seven production lines at its four assembly plants in Changchun, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Tianjin.
The company added that Toyota-related plants in China will observe the annual July summer holiday period early, from the end of April through the beginning of May, as part of efforts to scale back production.
Toyota last year sold 840,000 vehicles in China, and hoped to reach 900,000 vehicles this year, but there is a possibility that the company will no longer be able to achieve the target.
Toyota produces models such as the Corolla and the Camry in China for the domestic market.
The company earlier decided to drastically reduce production at its 14 plants across North America from Tuesday next week.