SAO PAULO: Japanese automaker Toyota, was compelled to suspend production at two factories in Brazil following heavy rain and strong winds that ruined its Porto Feliz factory, the company announced on Wednesday.
The company added it did not have an idea when the production would restart at its factories in Porto Feliz, where it produces engines, and Sorocaba, where it produces the Yaris, Corolla and Corolla Cross.
“The damage was extensive and impacted the factory severely,” Toyota stated of the Porto Feliz facility. No fatalities occurred, it noted.
The destruction also led the automaker to delay indefinitely the introduction of its new model for the local market, the Yaris Cross, which was originally set for October 16.
Photos released by domestic media revealed sections of the Porto Feliz plant in Sao Paulo state with no roof and pieces of the ceiling fallen on machinery, with much water on the ground.
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A labor union covering metalworkers in the area stated in another statement that about 30 workers were hurt in the accident, none of them seriously, and that the gust of wind blown from the storm knocked off a section of the unit’s warehouse roof.
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The union declined further comment when reached on Wednesday.
Toyota reported that a report would be drawn up to fully determine the magnitude of the damage.
