Toyota’s Thailand output hit by floods

TOKYO, Japan – Japans’ biggest automaker Toyota said Wednesday production at its three Thailand plants would be halted until at least Saturday due to the impact of the country’s worst flooding in decades on suppliers.

While floods have not directly impacted its Samrong, Gateway and Ban Pho plants, Toyota said: “Some suppliers are experiencing delays in supplying parts.”

Operations at the three plants have been halted since Monday and Toyota said the suspension will continue through Saturday’s morning shift, when it will then take a decision on whether to resume.

A Toyota spokeswoman told Agence France Presse that annual production capacity at the three plants totals 650,000 units. In 2010, the plants produced 630,000 units.

“We still cannot say how many units will be affected by the latest production halt as it is yet to be clear how long the move will last,” she said.