BANGKOK — Japanese auto group Toyota Motor has halted operations at its three factories in Thailand as the country’s delta-variant COVID epidemic disrupts the supply of key automobile parts.
The closures underline how the pandemic is still putting the automobile supply chain under strain. The stoppage started from Wednesday (July 21) and will last at least until July 28, Nikkei has learned. Toyota said it will “assess the situation and decide” whether to resume operations from July 29.
The carmaker has sourced wire harnesses to connect electrical components from an external factory, which was recently forced to shut down temporarily due to an outbreak of the virus.
Due to local holidays, the Toyota factories were originally scheduled to close in any case from July 24 to 28. If the company can address the sourcing issue before July 29, it will be able to limit the adverse impact of…
