India's Toyota Kirloskar to cut output on supply issues

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and India's Kirloskar group, said it will suspend production at its facilities on all Mondays and Fridays between April 25 and June 4 due to supply difficulties after Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami.   

Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar, which has a production capacity of about 150,000 units per annum, will operate at about 30% of its normal capacity during this period, it said in an emailed statement on Friday.       

Toyota Kirloskar makes brands such as Corolla Altis, Innova and Fortuner in India. "We intend to restore the normal operations as soon as possible," Toyota Kirloskar managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa said, but did not provide any timeline.

Toyota Motor, an 89% equity partner in the Indian JV, said in Tokyo that its output would start to pick up in July in Japan and around August overseas, with a complete recovery not until November or December.