JAPAN: Toyota output loss ‘could be 40,000 vehicles’ – report

Toyota may lose output of at least 40,000 vehicles following the devastation in northern Japan and subsequent disruption to production.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in a statement: “Not only is the struck region one of our production bases, those directly hit and vastly affected include our dealers, suppliers and numerous other partners.”

Toyota has closed 12 domestic plants until tomorrow.

Bloomberg News reported that Toyota’s loss of output may top 40,000 vehicles.

Factory shutdowns are part of the rolling blackouts planned to conserve power as Japan battles a possible meltdown at a nuclear reactor, Bloomberg said.