√Toyota production cuts in Japan hit RAV4 again

Australian deliveries of the Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid are likely to be hit again after a fresh round of production cuts.

The waiting list for the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid – already stretching close to two years for some hybrid models – could be hit again after a fresh round of production cuts at Toyota factories in Japan.

Two of the Toyota factories building the RAV4 are included on a list of seven assembly plants being hit by semiconductor shortages, which will strip 100,000 vehicles from the carmaker’s planned global production (from 900,000 to 800,000) over the next three months.

Honda is also cutting production at two of its Japanese factories, but the public holidays in Victoria mean Drive has not been able to obtain details or any potential impact on Australian deliveries.

Toyota’s official announcement of its factory numbers for October and November is the latest in a series of production cuts stretching back for more than a year as a result of COVID-19 and the ongoing semiconductor crisis.

Toyota has indicated that October and November production forecasts will be reduced. Even so, it is standing by its commitment to build 9.7 million vehicles through to the end of the Japanese financial year, which ends on 31 March 2023.

The two Japanese RAV4 facilities hit by the latest reduction are the Takaoka Assembly Plant in Toyota City and the Toyota Industries Corporation factory, nearby in the Aichi prefecture.

But Toyota Australia is not able to detail the potential impact as it does not have exact details about where or when cars for Australian customers are being built – and production timing and wait times vary between customers, dealers, and the vehicle specification ordered.

“In last month’s production plan, we announced that the average monthly production plan for the next three months (September through November) would be approximately 900,000 units,” Toyota said in an official statement from Japan.

“However, due to the impact of semiconductor shortages, the planned global production volume for October is expected to be approximately 800,000 units (approximately 250,000 units in Japan and 550,000 units overseas).

“The global production plan for October through December is planned to average approximately 850,000 units per month. This plan is based on careful confirmation of parts supply and the personnel structures and facility capacities of our suppliers.

“However, it remains difficult to look ahead due to semiconductor shortages, the spread of COVID-19, and other factors. We will continue to make every effort to deliver as many vehicles as possible to our customers at the earliest date while closely examining the situation,” Toyota said.

Also affected by production cuts next month are the Toyota Camry, GR Yaris and LandCruiser Prado, as well as the Lexus UX, NX, RX, ES and LS.

The post Toyota production cuts in Japan hit RAV4 again appeared first on Drive.