Toyota Stops Japanese Production Due To Cyberattack Against Supplier

Toyota will suspend production for both shifts working in Japan on Tuesday, March 1. The shutdown will affect 28 assembly lines at 14 factories. Toyota cited a “system failure” at supplier Kojima Industries Corporation. A report from Nikkei said that the problem was actually due to the cyberattack against Kojima Industries.

“We will also continue to work closely with our suppliers to strengthen the supply chain and make every effort to deliver vehicles to our customers as soon as possible,” Toyota said in a statement about the production stoppage.

Motor1.com contacted Toyota Motors North America for clarification on the extent to which this closure affects the company in the United States. A spokesperson responded by saying: “At this point, there is no impact on production in North America.”

According to the Nikkei story, Toyota doesn’t yet know if it can start producing vehicles again on Wednesday, March 2. Just for the stoppage on Tuesday, the automaker lost about 13,000 vehicles worth of production. Motor1.com say.

“It is true that we have been hit by some sort of cyberattack. We are still confirming the damage and we are rushing to respond, with the top priority of resuming Toyota’s production systems as soon as possible,” said a person close to Kojima Industries. to Nikkei.

As of this writing, website for Kojima Industries not online. It is not clear who the person or persons behind the cyberattack were. Based on Bloombergthe company makes “battery packs, inverter covers, isolators, ring gears, registers, door pockets, cup holders, switch mats, roof covers, overhead consoles, and antenna modules.”

In Japan, high demand pushed the waiting list to get a new Lexus LX or Toyota Land Cruiser up to four years. When previously asked by Motor1.com, a Lexus spokesperson said the issue had no impact on deliveries or launches of the LX 600 in the US.

Toyota has experienced several delivery delays due to protests against Canada’s COVID mandate along the border with the US. This problem affects several car manufacturers.