Toyota and Honda suspend vehicle production in Malaysia due to lockdown

COVID-19 is now interfering with the production of vehicles. Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co have put a pause on producing vehicles at their plants in Malaysia the country began a two-week total lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Due to the reduced workforce, both companies have decided it would not be enough to keep their factories running. Virus cases are rising in Malaysia as vaccination against COVID-19 lags. Japanese automakers and automotive parts makers also have plants in other countries in the region, such as Thailand and Indonesia, where cases are also increasing.

The companies could face production delays if infection rates worsen in those countries. In Malaysia, Toyota has two plants in Selangor State, while Honda has a motorcycle plant in Penang State and a car factory in Malacca State. The officials said that after-sales service for car owners will continue while new car sales are suspended.

Toyota produced about 50,000 passenger and commercial vehicles in Malaysia last. Honda says its motorcycle factory has the capacity to make 300,000 units annually with its car plant capable of producing 100,000 units.