Toyota announces plant shutdown will extend for two more weeks
Toyota announced on Thursday that it is delaying the reopening of its plants in North America.
The plants in the U.S., including in one Georgetown that employs 10,000, as well as Canada and Mexico have been closed since March 23. They were due to reopen April 6 after a thorough cleaning.
Now, according to a statement from the company, they will remain closed two more weeks.
“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and significant decline in vehicle demand, Toyota will further extend the length of its production suspension at all of its automobile and components plants in North America, including Canada, Mexico and the U.S.,” the company announced. “The manufacturing facilities will remain closed through April 17, resuming production on April 20. Our service parts depots and vehicle logistics centers will continue to operate. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action in a timely manner.”
According to spokesman Rick Hesterberg, no new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Toyota employees. A worker in Canada tested positive earlier this month.
Earlier this week Ford Motor Company, Kentucky’s largest manufacturer, announced it also would be extending its shutdown indefinitely, idling 13,400 workers in Louisville.
