Two powerful earthquakes that struck Japan and killed 41 earlier this month are also causing production disruptions for Toyota -- and could delay the arrival some Lexus models.
Toyota's Miyata plant — which builds the CT 200h hatchback, the NX and RX SUVs and the GS, ES and IS sedans — will remain closed through at least next Thursday, the automaker said. Toyota's Motomachi plant, which builds the Mirai fuel-cell car, also will have at least a partial production halt through Thursday as well.
Toyota isn't the only automaker affected. General Motors announced Friday that it is idling four plants in the U.S. and Canada -- including ones that make critical new models --- because of parts shortages arising from the Japanese earthquakes.
"Since we do not know what overall impacts these events will have on vehicle production, it is not possible to estimate the full impact" of any shortage, Toyota said in a statement. The automaker will "consider what measures need to be taken in order to make up for lost production" but hasn't decided what steps, if any, to take now.
Toyota does plan to restore most vehicle production in Japan Monday, resuming operations at most of the other plants.
In the end, the restart dates at some plants, says spokesman Aaron Fowle, "will be based on parts supply."
Toyota does have U.S. production of some Lexus models that could help ease the impact of the Japanese plant closures. The ES and RX have additional production sites — Kentucky for the ES and Ontario, Canada, for the RX — so the stoppage shouldn't grossly affect inventory for either vehicle.
For the others, dealer inventory might be more affected, especially if the stoppage drags out long after Thursday.
