Toyota to halt production at 2 plants!
WASHINGTON - February 16. 2010 - Toyota Motor Corp. plans to shut down production again at two U.S. plants as it copes with the fallout from a series of recalls, a company spokesman confirmed today.
The new shutdown of the company's Kentucky and Texas plants for up to 14 working days total will follow a week-long shutdown of six North American assembly plants.
That was prompted by the company's recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky pedals, which forced a halt on January 26 in sales of eight of the company's models, or 60% of its inventory.
As a result, Toyota's January sales fell below 100,000 in the United States for the first time since 1999.
Toyota spokesman Mike Goss said today the automaker will idle its Georgetown, Kentucky assembly plant on February 26, and has tentatively scheduled a production hiatus for three more days in March.
"That gives us some flexibility," said Goss, if demand for Toyota vehicles increases faster than predicted.
Goss confirmed that the company will halt production at its San Antonio, Texas plant March 15-19 and April 12-16. "This is to keep inventory in line," said Goss.
He said all workers will be paid during the shutdowns and are expected to report to work for plant improvement activities. About 2,000 workers are employed at the Texas plant, and 6,600 work in Georgetown.
The new shutdown of the company's Kentucky and Texas plants for up to 14 working days total will follow a week-long shutdown of six North American assembly plants.
That was prompted by the company's recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticky pedals, which forced a halt on January 26 in sales of eight of the company's models, or 60% of its inventory.
As a result, Toyota's January sales fell below 100,000 in the United States for the first time since 1999.
Toyota spokesman Mike Goss said today the automaker will idle its Georgetown, Kentucky assembly plant on February 26, and has tentatively scheduled a production hiatus for three more days in March.
"That gives us some flexibility," said Goss, if demand for Toyota vehicles increases faster than predicted.
Goss confirmed that the company will halt production at its San Antonio, Texas plant March 15-19 and April 12-16. "This is to keep inventory in line," said Goss.
He said all workers will be paid during the shutdowns and are expected to report to work for plant improvement activities. About 2,000 workers are employed at the Texas plant, and 6,600 work in Georgetown.
