Toyota announced that production at its factories will not return to pre-March 11 levels, until December.  Toyota expects 2011 production levels to be lower than 2009.

Production in Japan will not pick up until July.  Production at all other Toyota plants will remain low until August.  And that’s a best guess: “We don’t know how the production recovery curve will shape up.”-Atsushi Niimi, Toyota Executive Vice President

Toyota officials pointed out that in today’s car factories it only takes one missing part to shut down production.  Especially when it comes to electronic parts.

Toyota is now cutting production at its Thailand factory by 50%, starting April 25.  Honda and Nissan have announced similar cuts at their Thailand factories.