BANGKOK — Toyota Motor and Honda Motor have halted operations at a number of crops in Malaysia, Nikkei has discovered, because of the strict lockdown imposed by the federal government to fight a surge in coronavirus infections.
Toyota shut down two meeting crops on Thursday. When requested when the services will reopen, a consultant mentioned that “a choice shall be made in a while.”
Honda suspended manufacturing at two factories Wednesday. One plant makes two-wheelers whereas the opposite produces four-wheel automobiles. The Japanese automaker plans to freeze operations till Jan. 26, when the lockdown is because of be lifted.
In 2019, Toyota manufactured roughly 61,000 automobiles in Malaysia, together with the Yaris subcompact and the Hilux pickup truck. Honda’s annual capability available in the market is 300,000 two-wheelers and 100,000 four-wheelers, such because the Civic and Accord sedans.
Perodua, the nationwide automaker backed by Japanese automotive firm Daihatsu Motor, additionally discontinued manufacturing on Thursday. Perodua bought 220,000 automobiles final yr, holding the highest market share exceeding 40%.
Malaysia enacted one other lockdown order on Wednesday forbidding interstate journey wherever within the nation. For eight areas together with the capital, Kuala Lumpur, folks outdoors of important industries are banned from commuting to work.
Auto meeting was initially included within the listing of important industries, till officers pulled the exemption on the final minute Tuesday night. Auto manufacturing was suspended as nicely through the lockdown applied in March 2020.
Malaysia is the third largest auto producer in Southeast Asia, behind Thailand and Indonesia. Output through the January-November interval of final yr fell 19% to roughly 430,000 automobiles.
However automakers had been on the highway to restoration due to tax breaks supplied by the federal government to stimulate the financial system. The measure focused passenger car gross sales. Because of this, auto manufacturing usually exceeded year-earlier numbers starting in June.
