Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Storm at Toyota Factory Disrupted Engine Production, Reduced Stocks of Corolla and Corolla Cross, and Delayed the Launch of Yaris Cross. Dealerships Already Face Shortages of Models, with Full Resumption Expected Only in 2026.
The storm that hit Toyota’s engine factory in Porto Feliz (SP) on September 22 halted production in the country and quickly emptied the stocks of Corolla and Corolla Cross at dealerships.
In several stores, sales of these models were temporarily suspended due to a lack of new units, while the manufacturer reorganizes operations and evaluates the extent of the damage.
The launch of the Yaris Cross has also been delayed.
-
Inflation in March reaches 0.88% according to IBGE and pressures the Brazilian economy, impacting family budgets and requiring more strategic decisions to maintain financial control.
-
In Paraná, distributor Pacto connects 100% of the load in Coronel Vivida to batteries: a BES of 10 MW and 20 MWh costs just over R$ 30 million and lowers the local tariff now.
-
With a dependence of up to 80% on gas imported from the United States, Mexico is responding with a robust energy strategy, betting on shale gas, creating a scientific committee, and preparing to expand natural gas production to reduce vulnerability and strengthen its energy security in the coming years.
-
The United States proposes to Brazil a critical minerals agreement with a minimum price to combat Chinese dumping and priority for investment, but the Planalto is blocking the signing out of fear of upsetting China and due to electoral calculations in a year of competition.
Meanwhile, the company approved a layoff plan and is considering importing engines to reactivate the lines in Sorocaba and Indaiatuba.
According to the newspaper Estadão, normalization, according to automotive sector insiders, may take time and may only occur in 2026.
What Happened at the Porto Feliz Factory
The storm destroyed roofs in areas of the Porto Feliz complex, caused flooding, and interrupted the manufacturing of 1.5 and 2.0 engines that supply the Sorocaba (Corolla Cross and Yaris for export) and Indaiatuba (Corolla sedan) plants.
There was severe structural damage and, although no fatalities were reported, around 30 workers sustained minor injuries, according to information released after the incident.
Authorities and Toyota itself mentioned gusts of wind close to 90 km/h during the weather event.
Dealerships Without Stocks of Corolla and Corolla Cross
With production halted, stocks of Corolla and Corolla Cross have run out in a short time across various regions.
Dealerships report temporary suspension of sales due to a lack of units and, in some cases, the formation of waiting lists.
There is no record of a corporate communication indicating a national suspension; this is a situation reported in direct customer service.
Hilux and SW4, manufactured in Argentina, remain available as normal.
Production Halted and Estimated Impact
To preserve jobs, employees approved a layoff plan with collective vacations and the possibility of temporary suspension of contracts for up to 150 days, fully maintaining the salary of those earning up to R$ 10,000.
The expectation is that the halt will take about 25,000 vehicles off the market by the end of 2025, a number reported by union and industry representatives.
Strategies to Resume Assembly
Toyota stated that it is considering importing engines from other global units to reactivate its São Paulo lines as soon as logistics are defined.
This measure aims to compensate for the halt in Porto Feliz, which still does not have an official date to resume operations.
Yaris Cross Launch Delayed
The schedule for the Yaris Cross, which was expected to launch between September and October, has been postponed.
The manufacturer stated that the model will be reintroduced when there is greater predictability of engine supply.
Consumer Service Affected
Customers interested in Corolla and Corolla Cross new units have found limited availability at dealerships.
Instead of immediate delivery, salespeople are registering interested parties for future contact, according to the allocation of new units.
After-sales services continue to operate normally and have not been affected by the disruption in Porto Feliz.
Toyota’s Recovery Horizon
Representatives of the company and labor unions indicate that the reconstruction of the engine factory is expected to take several months.
Internal estimates and automotive sector projections suggest that a full recovery will only occur in 2026, when the installation of precision equipment and the regularization of supply routes are completed.
The logistical crisis is already affecting consumers and dealerships, which are dealing with reduced stocks, delayed launches, and one of Brazil’s best-selling vehicles out of the market.
-
Uma pessoa reagiu a isso.