After an in-depth analysis of its suppliers, Toyota has recently announced that they are on pace to start normal production by November or December 2011. The one-month discrepancy in the start date will account for the time it takes to ship the parts overseas to their appropriate destinations. Toyota stated that it would ramp up global-production in Japan in July, while North American production will accelerate in August.
The current manufacturing plants in Japan are operating at 50 percent capacity, while plants in North America are operating at 30 percent capacity. Despite this, Toyota said it would do everything it can to minimize the impact it will have on its employees. So far, no North American employees have been laid-off as a result of the disaster in Japan.
While Toyota continues to source parts from original suppliers where possible, it will consider parts from other suppliers as well. Toyota stated that there are 150 parts that are affecting new vehicle production, including rubber, plastic, and electrical parts.
“To all the customers who made the decision to buy a vehicle made by us, I sincerely apologize for the enormous delay in delivery,” said TMC President Akio Toyoda at a press conference in Japan on April 22nd, announcing the normalization timeline.
