Amid the spread of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus, Toyota Motor Corp. decided Friday to push back the resumption of operations at four vehicle plants in China to Feb. 17 or perhaps beyond.
After closely examining the impact on the procurement of parts and distribution networks, Toyota plans to determine when to resume operations of these plants.
Toyota had mulled over suspending operations of the four plants until Sunday and resuming operations on Monday.
There is concern that a prolonged stoppage of plant operations could impact the company's business performance.
While plant employees at those locations are set to start back at work on Monday, Toyota said it will be flexible, adjusting to individual circumstances that include allowing some of them to work from home.
In terms of resuming operations, Toyota also will ascertain the intentions of Chinese authorities.
A company founded jointly by Toyota and a Chinese firm has plants for vehicles in the city of Tianjin and the provinces of Sichuan, Guangdong and Jilin.
Their combined production in 2019 was about 1.4 million units, accounting for about 15% of total production of Toyota vehicles alone, excluding Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors, Ltd.
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