Toyota further extends Canadian production shutdown to May 4
Plants in Mexico, U.S. will also remain shuttered, spokesperson says
Toyota Canada has once again pushed back plans to reopen its manufacturing facilities in Woodstock and Cambridge. The plants will now be closed until May 1 and will resume production on May 4, said the company in a news release Thursday morning.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in vehicle demand were cited as reasons for the extended shutdown.
Plants in Mexico and the U.S. will also stay closed until May 4. The company's service parts operations and finished vehicle logistics centres will continue to operate during this time, the statement said.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action in a timely manner," said company spokesperson Michael Bouliane.
Permanent and contract Toyota Canada employees have been asked to use three paid time off days during the shutdown. They will be paid their full wages during the six-week production suspension, which began March 20, Bouliane said.
Toyota Canada had first planned to shut down operations until April 6, then to April 20 and now May 4.
Two workers from the Toyota Cambridge plant have tested positive for COVID-19.