Toyota-Kirloskar to resume normal operations ahead of schedule

Pune-based Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd today said that it will resume normal operations earlier than expected as its parts sourcing are getting back on track.

Hiroshi Nakagawa, managing director said, "We are happy to announce that we will be able to resume normal production much earlier than expected. Our focus is to reduce the backlog and jointly work with our vendors to minimise delivery delays."

The company, in which Japan's Toyota Motor Corporation  holds an 89-per cent stake in  the joint venture company, with Kirloskar Group holding the remaining 11 per cent, now expects to return to normal production levels starting 20 May 2011.

Earlier in Aprill Toyota Kirloskar's parent, Toyota Motor Corp resumed production at all its plants in Japan since 11 March, the day Japan was battered by an earthquake and tsunami, though the factories were run at half capacity due to parts shortages as it had been able to tie up supply of around 150 types of auto parts. (See: Toyota resumes production at factories in Japan)

Toyota Kirloskar said plans were afoot to recover loss of production and reduce the waiting period. The plant will function on all weekdays and some of the non - working Saturdays.

As with most Japanese car makers that sourced components from Japan, the company had faced disruption in supplies, leading it to announce that it would suspend production on Mondays and Fridays between 25 April and 4 June.

Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director, marketing, added, "We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during these troubled times. Our dealers will continue to be in constant touch with the customers and will ensure timely communication. We are now all set to launch the Etios Liva. The launch will be as per schedule in the last week of June."

In March Toyota Kirloskar had announced plans to ramp its production capacity to 210,000 units per year from the current 150,000 units to cater to the strong demand for its vehicles like the Etios sedan launched late last year.