Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest maker of gasoline-electric autos, plans to resume production of the Prius and two other hybrid models in Japan, after an earthquake and tsunami idled plants for two weeks.
Toyota plans to restart Prius output and production of the Lexus HS250h and Lexus CT200h hybrids, which are in high demand, on Monday, said Paul Nolasco, a Toyota spokesman in Tokyo. He couldn’t confirm whether Toyota’s supply chain has been restored or whether the company secured alternative sources of scarce parts.
Toyota, Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. are struggling to resume domestic output after the magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami March 11 that killed more than 9,800 people and damaged factories. Toyota may lose production of 140,000 vehicles through Saturday, with electronic parts, rubber and plastics in short supply, the company has said.
“They are clearly prioritizing Prius, given overseas demand,” said Jeff Liker, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan who researches Toyota.
Honda, based in Tokyo, will extend closures at its two auto-assembly plants in Japan until April 3, said Tomohiro Okada, a company spokesman.
Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday that about 40 auto-parts makers remain hampered after the record earthquake.
Automakers in Japan built about 9.63 million vehicles in 2010.
