Toyota to suspend output from nine plants in Japan because of earthquake

Toyota Motor said on Tuesday it will momentarily suspend auto production on 14 lines at nine group factories in Japan because of an earthquake that hit Japan’s northeast last week.

Domestic factories in five prefectures, such as Aichi, Iwate, and Fukuoka, will stop productions between Wednesday and Saturday, some for as long as four days. The factories produce models varying from Lexus vehicles to Harrier SUVs.

While the earthquake had no major impact on Toyota’s factories, it affected some of the automaker’s suppliers, resulting in a delay in parts supply, a spokesman said.

The company did not reveal the number of affected vehicles.

A strong earthquake hit off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday, injuring dozens of people and causing widespread power outages.