Toyota to cut production at most of its U.S. factories

Toyota has scheduled additional non-production days at several North American manufacturing facilities over the next few months in response to high inventory levels caused by slow industry sales. The number of non-production days varies by assembly line and model.

On average, inventory of Toyota’s North American built vehicles ranges from 80-90 days. With the new production adjustments, Toyota hopes to reduce inventory by about half in the second quarter of the year.

“This is a tough environment, and it may continue for a while. We are making responsible business decisions now in order to sustain our business over the long term,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president of external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). “In addition to slowing production we are redoubling efforts to cut costs at each of our facilities. Further actions and sacrifices may be necessary, but we will continue to do everything possible to assure the viability of our plants and protect the long term employment security of our team members.”

Following is a summary of the number of anticipated non-production days scheduled during the first quarter of 2009. Some January days were previously announced:

Plant	Line	January	February	March-Apr.3
Kentucky	Camry/Avalon	7	1	9
	Camry/Hybrid/Venza	7		5
	4 cylinder engine	8	3	9
	V6 engine	8	2	9
Indiana	Sequoia			17*
	Sienna	9	8	13
California	Corolla	8	3	10
	Tacoma	8	7	10
Canada	Corolla/Matrix	8	4	5
	RX350	5
	RAV4	5
Texas	Tundra**			3
Subaru Indiana	Camry	4
West Virginia	6 speed transmission	6	4
	5 speed transmission	8	6	7
	4 cylinder engine	7	4	5
	V6 engine	9	4	5
Alabama	4.7 V8 engine	8	2	16***
	V6 engine	1	4	5
	5.7 V8 engine		1	5