More Toyota LandCruiser delays on the cards

Toyota LandCruiser (and Lexus) customers have been dealt another blow following confirmation that production has been interrupted yet again by a series of parts shortages stemming from Southeast Asia, although the local impact is yet to be measured.

According to a string of reports by Reuters, Toyota is expecting to lose around 14,000 vehicles from its fiscal year 2021 global production tally, which may not seem like the biggest emergency given the brand was and is still targeting annual output of nine million units.

“We would like to maintain 9 million units, but we will keep a close eye on the situation,” a Toyota spokesperson said in the report.

Specifically affecting the new Toyota LandCruiser and several Lexus models,

However, those plans are now up in the air following the extension of those shutdowns, with no official resumption date announced so far.

Much like the delays earlier in the year, Toyota’s latest production halts have resulted from COVID-19 related lockdowns in Southeast Asia, a region central to Toyota’s component supply chain and, in the case of the Aussie-delivered HiLux and Fortuner, vehicle production.

Exactly what impact these shutdowns will have on Australian customers remains to be seen; carsales has contacted both Toyota and Lexus Australia for comment.

However, the timing could hardly have been worse for the Australian market leader as it scrambles to make up the production shortfall from previous interruptions and keep up with local demand.

Despite making good on its promise to commence customer deliveries of the new 300 Series LandCruiser, wait times for the work-focused 70 Series LandCruiser are still hovering at around the 10-month mark.

It had taken Toyota seven months to return to a vaguely normal production turnover – something it may not see again for the rest of the fiscal year, depending on how much longer the latest shutdowns last.