Down on parts, Toyota Motor Corporation may be cutting back on smart keys just to bring cars as quickly as possible to customers.
According to a Reuters report, the world’s biggest automaker may be temporarily replacing one of two electronic smart keys—the one used for passive entry and push-start systems—with a mechanical one just to get cars to customers as soon as possible.
The measure, which was confirmed by Toyota in a statement reads:
“As the shortage of semiconductors continues, this is a provisional measure aimed at delivering cars to customers as quickly as possible…As for the second smart key, we plan to hand it over as soon as it is ready.”
A global chips shortage has caused a severe delay in car production and shipments, with many buyers having to wait years to get theirs delivered.
Toyota has been hit particularly hard this year, with natural disasters and other disruptions adding to their troubles.
Just last week, the automaker said it will unlikely be able to meet its projected 9.7 million production volume target. For November, Toyota will able to produce 250,000 units in Japan and about 550,000 units overseas.
Plant suspensions in Japan will affect models such as the RAV4, Land Cruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser, and basically the entire Lexus range (IS, ES, LS, RC, UX, NX, RX, GX) this month.
But Toyota said they will send the 2nd smart key as soon as possible.
ReplyDelete