Toyota warns of stock shortages

LAST month’s tragic floods in KwaZulu-Natal left a trail of destruction that’s set to affect the local motor industry for quite some time.

Apart from port disruptions, the flooding forced Toyota to temporarily shut its plant in Prospecton, south of Durban, following extensive damage.

And while Toyota SA still managed to sell 8 952 vehicles in April, sales and marketing vice president Leon Theron has warned of stock shortages.

“We are anticipating stock challenges with regard to our locally built models such as Hilux, Fortuner, Corolla Cross and Quest, Hiace Ses’fikile and some Hino models,” Theron said.

The carmaker hoped to confirm reopening dates soon.

According to Moneyweb, the recommencing of production will need to take place in phases, which include cleaning up, establishing temporary utilities and powering up machinery. Further to that, numerous repairs needed to be made and parts ordered, Kirby said.

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