No sooner had we posted our 1-month anniversary update on the Japanese natural disasters’ aftermath and repercussions on Toyota and Subaru production that more news came our way. Here’s the latest information:
TOYOTA
Following on the Thursday 7 April cancellation of planned overtime at Toyota’s United Kingdom facilities, Toyota Europe announced that production would be stopped Thursday 21 April thru Monday 2 May, while noting that Friday 22 April was a previously-scheduled holiday for Good Friday. Affected by this order are carmaking facilities in Burnaston, England (Toyota Avensis and Auris); Adapazari, Turkey (Toyota Verso and Auris); and Valenciennes, France (Toyota Yaris); as well as engine manufacturing factories in Jelcz-Laskowice, Poland, and Deeside, Wales. Seemingly unaffected, at this point, is the Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech (TCPA) joint venture that builds the Toyota Aygo / Citroën C1 / Peugeot 107 triplets in Kolin in the Czech Republic.
Automotive News cites Didier Leroy, Toyota Motor Europe CEO as saying that, “Even though most of our parts come from European suppliers, we are experiencing gaps in our supply chain due to the situation in Japan. By adjusting our production in Europe, we are adapting to the current situation whilst not completely interrupting our deliveries of vehicles to our customers.” The report also adds that the shutdown is being planned around upcoming public holidays or school holidays to make it easier for employees to take the time off.
SUBARU
After working 4-hour long half-shifts on Monday 4 April and Friday 8 April, Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana facility that assembles Legacy, Outback and Tribeca models will undergo full-day shutdowns on Friday 15 April, Monday 18 April and Monday 25 April. In an Automotive News article, Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) spokeswoman Jennifer McGarvey states that during the three days of downtime, employees can choose to work full eight-hour paid shifts doing nonproduction activities such as training and maintenance.
Notably, this 3-day production shutdown brings Subaru in line with the Toyota Camry assembly line at the same Indiana facility, which had previously scheduled a shutdown that includes those same three days.
Photo Credit: Chris Paukert -Autoblog
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