A huge storm in the Durban area of South Africa has stopped Toyota production until at least Thursday, local media reported.
On Tuesday afternoon Toyota SA president Andrew Kirby confirmed to iol.co.za the Prospecton factory had incurred “significant damage” as a result of the storm, affecting buildings, equipment and vehicles on the assembly line.
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The plant produces the Corolla (including Quest), Fortuner, Hilux, Quantum and various Hino commercial vehicles. Hilux is exported to Europe including the UK.
There were no injuries but the automaker was forced to halt production for at least two days.
“Production for now has been halted at the facility for the rest of today and tomorrow [Wednesday 11 October] to enable us to quantify the extent of the damage,” Kirby said.
“We’ll then reassess the situation again on Thursday and decide if we can resume normal manufacturing.”
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By GlobalDataThe website said the storm knocked over trees and powerlines in Durban while cars were submerged in flood water after flash flooding.
Several suburbs on the south coast were plunged into darkness as heavy winds battered the city.
Major thoroughfares in the city came to a standstill as visibility was reduced to zero in some parts.
