Still suffering from depleted reserves of its midsize Tacoma and fullsize Tundra following the Japanese tsunami, Toyota is now looking to put inventory levels back to normal.
Starting this Saturday, Reuters is reporting that Toyota’s San Antonio, Texas, plant will be operating overtime in order to help produce extra Tacoma and Tundra trucks to replenish the national supply.
This shift in production signals the completion of production hindrances stemming from the tsunami and resulting parts shortages, according to Brandyn Moore, a Toyota spokesperson, “The effects of the tsunami have run its course and we are back to rolling at full capacity of production.”
Inventory dipped below desired levels after the plant was forced to idle entirely for two different three-week periods following the natural disaster in March 2011. Currently, most dealers have a 40-day supply of Tacomas and about a 70-day supply of Tundras – putting the smaller truck well below the 70-day desired level.
The Saturday shifts are expected to run sporadically over the next three months.
