Toyota's production down in May due to supply disruption, chip shortage

Automotive giant Toyota's production and sales fell in May due to global chip shortage and parts supply crunch.

In a press release issued late Wednesday, the manufacturer said its total output was around 700,000 units in May, 9% fewer than in the same month last year.

Toyota's automotive sales also dropped by 9.5% over the same period to 818,972 units.

"In May, both sales and production fell below the previous year's level due to impact from the global spread of COVID-19, as well as the parts supply shortage caused by the increased demand for semiconductors," it said.

"Production was lower than planned due to the impact from the lockdown in Shanghai, China and other factors."

From January to May, the firm's production and sales dropped by 3.5% and 6.5% on an annual basis to 4.17 million and 4.24 million, respectively.

Production and sales figures also included Toyota's brands Hino and Daihatsu.