The world’s largest car manufacturer has suspended all its production in Japan after one of its suppliers, Kojima Industries Corporation, was hobbled by a suspected cyberattack.
“Due to a system failure at a domestic supplier (KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION), we have decided to suspend the operation of 28 lines at 14 plants in Japan on Tuesday, March 1st (both 1st and 2nd shifts),” said Toyota in a statement released overnight.
“We apologize to our relevant suppliers and customers for any inconvenience this may cause. We will also continue to work with our suppliers in strengthening the supply chain and make every effort to deliver vehicles to our customers as soon as possible.”
Local outlet Nikkei reports that Toyota hopes to resume production later this week, although the shutdown could last longer. The brand stands to lose out on 13,000 new vehicles for each day that its factories are not in action.
Toyota uses Kojima Industries as a supplier for plastic and electric components across all the company’s models. It’s unknown why the company was targeted, although Reuters notes that the attack came after Japan joined other nations in uniting against Russia’s actions against the Ukraine.
“It is difficult to say whether this has anything to do with Russia before making thorough checks,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, speaking to media late Monday.
The announcement is the latest case of Toyota having to pause its production lines.
The Japanese giant was significantly impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic’s numerous lockdown phases. Several factories were forced to shut down temporarily during 2020 and 2021, resulting in reduced output and deliveries for both years.
Toyota has also had its supply kerbed by the industry’s ongoing semi-conductor shortage. And some of the brand’s North American facilities have had to cease production due to Canada’s trucker convoy Covid-19 mandate protests.
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