Toyota has halted the production of the RAV4 and Harrier crossovers after an explosion at a parts maker in Japan killed a worker and further impacted the domestic supply chain, according to Automotive News.
The March 6 explosion at Chuo Spring Co. in Toyota City additionally injured two other workers as well as occurred at the same factory where a 2023 explosion obligated Toyota to suspend 13 lines at eight plants, Automotive News said.
“The accident occurred on Thursday (March 6) at the Chuo Spring Company factory. According to Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting and Nagoya Broadcasting Network Works, an emergency call reported that “a dust collector had exploded” and that “the roof had blown off,”” Voice7 News said.
Toyota Motor Corp. said on March 7 it will suspend operations on three lines at two plants in Japan for the first shift on Monday, March 10, Market Screener said.
The halts could affect the output of RAV4 crossovers headed to the Stateside.
In 2024, Toyota sold 475,193 RAV4s in the U.S., as well as imported about 101,683 of them. According to Toyota, it is too soon to know the possible effect this will have on exports to the U.S. or other regions like Europe, according to Automotive News.
Toyota said it will take another look at operations around noon on Monday, Automotive News said.
