Toyota extends plant shutdowns in North America

Toyota Motor Corp. is extending shutdowns at its North American plants caused by a shortage of parts from Japan and its Canadian arm warned for the first time of a potential shortage of some vehicles in Canada this summer. The auto maker will close its two Canadian assembly plants the week of May 23 and its U.S. plants the week of May 30 – four-day shutdowns because of holidays in each country – on top of shutdowns already announced for April 15-25. On days when the plants are operating, they will run at 50% capacity. Toyota is experiencing a shortage of parts after the March earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of northern Japan and led to a crisis at a nuclear power plant that is affecting power supplies in the rest of the country. (April 20, 2011)