Asian automakers Toyota Motor North America and Honda Motor Co. both said Wednesday that they would temporarily suspend production next week in North America as the continent struggles against the coronavirus.
Toyota said it is stopping production at all of its plants Monday and Tuesday next week for a deep cleaning to fight the virus. It previously halted overtime production and Saturday shifts at some of its plants in anticipation of slowing sales.
"Our service parts depots and vehicle logistics centers will continue to operate," Toyota said in a statement. "This action is being taken to help ensure the health and safety of our employees, and due to an anticipated decline in market demand related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We will conduct a thorough cleaning at all of our manufacturing facilities during the shutdown. This also will allow Toyota employees to prepare and adjust family plans in relation to regional directives to close schools. The safety and security of our employees, stakeholders and community are a top priority and we will continue to monitor the situation and take action in a timely manner.”
Meanwhile, Honda said it would halt production for six days because of the anticipated decline in auto sales as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and will reduce production by about 40,000 vehicles.
Honda will suspend its production beginning Monday, March 23, and plans to return to production March 31. It also id suspending operations at transmission and engine plants in North America. Honda will continue full pay for all of its associates and it will utilize the break to continue deep cleaning of its production facilities and common areas.
The Honda facilities temporarily closing include plants in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Canada and Mexico. Honda has no known cases of coronavirus among workers in North America, the company said.
Toyota operates 14 manufacturing plants in North America, including 10 in the U.S. The Japanese automaker, based in Texas, employs 47,000 people in North America, including 36,000 in the United States. A 15th plant in Huntsville, Ala., a joint venture with Mazda, has not begun production. Toyota said it would pay its employees for their lost time.
Auto supplier Lear Corp. said after one confirmed COVID-19 case and one suspected case at its Hammond, Ind., plant, it will close the facility for deep cleaning and disinfection.
Larry Vellequette of Automotive News and Reuters contributed to this story.
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