The global shortage of microchips continues to bedevil the auto industry, with several companies announcing production cuts this week. Included in that group this time is Toyota Motor Corp., which previously had weathered the crisis without major setbacks.
Here are the latest developments:
The Japanese automaker said it will slash global output by about 40 percent in September. In North America, Toyota said its factories will lose up to 170,000 vehicles through September.
General Motors will idle its plant that builds the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV and added downtime at crossover and sedan plants.
The Kansas City assembly plant will be down for a week and the automaker’s plant in Cologne, Germany, will temporarily suspend output.
Volkswagen will restart its plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, with just one shift next week as it resumes following the traditional summer break. In addition, Audi will extend its summer break by one week at its two factories in Germany.