Toyota will close the doors of all its European factories this week. Production is therefore restricted in five countries. The reason may be clear in the meantime: COVID-19.
Toyota reports this in an official statement. The manufacturer came to the decision due to government restrictions and because it wants to ensure that the corona virus does not spread further. The brand also wants to avoid a logistical problem due to the shutdown. The brand is afraid that it will otherwise be left with a surplus of products due to declining sales due to the worldwide lockdown.
Toyota is currently building the Yaris in France, the Corolla in Great Britain and the Aygo in collaboration with PSA in the Czech Republic. The CH-R production line in Sakarya, Turkey, will also be shut down this Saturday. In Poland, Toyota builds CVT automatic transmission in a gearbox factory; it also closes. According to the statement, no one has to worry about an upcoming layoff (yet). For example, the upcoming French production of the brand new Yaris is cited as an important moment in the near future.
It is not yet known for how long the factories will close.