Automakers Toyota and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have warned that the Covid-19 outbreak could threaten their respective production lines.
Toyota’s 16 Japanese vehicle and component facilities could be affected by the company’s decision about whether or not to reduce production during the week of March 9. The plants receives supplies from near the virus epicenter in China, however, those facilities have not been able to produce or transport materials to Toyota’s Japanese plants. In 2019, Toyota’s Japanese plants produced nearly 50pc of the automaker’s 10.7mn cars sold.
FCA, which is awaiting more information pertaining to the virus’s containment, has reported that a potential worldwide Covid-19 pandemic would threaten its business. However, it stopped short of estimating how much its production would suffer, but conceded it adversely impacted “results.”
FCA’s supply chain has already been disrupted, the company said, noting a European factory is on hiatus and that the demand has noticeably reduced in China.