TORRANCE, Calif. -

Toyota Motor Corp. is apparently warning U.S. dealers that inventories could come up short this summer due to production interruptions in North America and Japan.

In a memo to dealers, Bob Carter, Toyota’s general manager, said the automaker is seeing significant production interruptions and has yet to create a May production schedule, according to a report.

He basically cautions dealers that inventories could be low over the summer.

According to the latest update from Toyota Motor Corp., the company is going forward with its plans to restart operations at its at Central Motor’s Sagamihara Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Furthermore, beginning April 18 and running through April 27, Toyota intends to produce vehicles at all its Japanese vehicle-production facilities. However, officials indicated production volume is planned to be approximately 50 percent of normal.

After April 27, Toyota noted all production facilities will enter their annual spring holiday schedule through May 9. The OEM said a decision on post-holiday production will be made after assessing the parts supply situation.

The automaker pointed out these developments follow production resumption on March 28 at TMC’s Tsutsumi Plant in Aichi Prefecture and at Toyota Motor Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture.

Along with giving details of what it plans to do in Japan, Toyota also shared what strategy it’s employing in North America.
Over the next few weeks, officials indicated Toyota’s North American vehicle plants will operate on a reduced schedule with production suspended on April 15, 18, 21, 22 and 25. They believe most of the company’s North American engine and component plants will follow the same schedule.

Future production plans will be determined at a later date, according to the company.

On these non-production days, the company insisted it will continue to provide employment for its approximately 25,000 regular North American team members. 

“Team members not required to work may report to work for training and plant improvement activities, use vacation, or take unpaid time off,” officials stressed.

On average, the OEM highlighted about 85 percent of the parts and materials for the 12 North American-built Toyota and Lexus models are sourced from 500 suppliers on this continent. While production of some parts and materials continues in Japan, Toyota emphasized that it’s working closely with affected suppliers in order to minimize the impact.

“The situation in Japan affects many automakers and many other industries. Extraordinary efforts are underway to help suppliers recover,” stated Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America.

“We are slowing down to conserve parts yet maintain production as much as possible,” St. Angelo continued. “We appreciate the flexibility of our team members, suppliers and dealers as we work through these issues.”