Japan earthquake and tsunami forces Toyota to cut production at UK plant

Toyota has put one of its UK factories on short-time working after a shortage of car parts following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Toyota will close Burnaston factory in Derbyshire for two days each week in May. Workers also agreed to limit production to half a shift on the other three days.

They will still be paid on Fridays through May, which will be designated as "non-attendance" days, and work back these hours at a later date. The remaining non-production time will be used for training and improvement.

Toyota employs 2,600 people at Burnaston, where the Auris and Avensis models are made.

"This working arrangements will help ensure that we are able to quickly respond to the demand for our products as soon as parts are available. Toyota UK would like to thank it's employees for their understanding and support in helping to manage this situation," the world's largest carmaker said.

Toyota became the third Japanese carmaker to announce production cuts in UK factories last month. Burnaston and its engine plant in Deeside, north Wales, will shut for the long Easter break, from 21 April to 3 May. Honda and Nissan have also cut production in the UK.