Toyota halts operations at 5 plants in Japan as virus hits demand english.kyodonews.net

The suspension, to be in place until April 15 at the latest, will lead to vehicle production cuts of about 36,000 units, according to the world's second-largest vehicle maker by sales.
Toyota manufactures its vehicles at 18 factories across Japan, including those outsourced to other makers.
Aside from Toyota, Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Subaru Corp. and four other Japanese automakers have stopped or reduced production due to drops in demand.
Some makers had to suspend operations as employees tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Toyota Boshoku Corp., which supplies vehicle interior equipment and seats, halted part of its production lines from Friday.