Storm Consequences for Toyota Plant
A severe storm has seriously damaged the Toyota engine plant in the Brazilian city of Porto Feliz. The element tore off the roofs of the workshops, leading to an indefinite production stoppage. This situation may delay the planned local launch of the Yaris Cross model in October.
Event Details
The storm hit the plant around 13:00 on September 22, bringing heavy rain and powerful wind gusts. The metal roof of the production workshop was torn off, structural beams were deformed, and debris was scattered across neighboring fields. Videos from social media show flooded production areas, equipment exposed to the elements, and an overturned vehicle outside the plant’s territory.
Toyota representatives confirmed that safety remains the company’s priority, stating that they
“are closely monitoring the situation and providing all necessary support to employees and partners on site”
. Local authorities have restricted access to the plant for damage assessment, and production remains halted with no clear recovery timeline.
Impact on Production Plans
The plant in Porto Feliz, opened in 2016, is key to Toyota’s operations in Brazil. With an annual capacity of 108,000 units, it produces engines for the Corolla and Corolla Cross. Despite no fatalities, ten workers were injured and taken to the hospital using corporate ambulances.
The production stoppage creates additional pressure on Toyota’s product schedule. The Yaris Cross was set to debut in Brazil in October, but since its engines are supplied exclusively from the Porto Feliz plant, the model’s launch is effectively halted. The car’s assembly takes place at the plant in Sorocaba (São Paulo state), but without engines, production cannot continue.
Features of the Brazilian Version of the Yaris Cross
The South American version of the Yaris Cross differs from the European and Japanese models – it is based on a different crossover already sold in Indonesia and Thailand. The car is built on the budget DNGA-B platform, has a length of 4310 mm (130 mm more than the European counterpart), and offers a choice between 1.5-liter petrol and hybrid powertrains.
This model is intended to fill the niche below the larger Corolla Cross and replace the discontinued Yaris compact hatchback in the Brazilian market. Key competitors for the model include the Chevrolet Tracker, Volkswagen T-Cross, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Creta, and Peugeot 2008.
The damage to the Porto Feliz plant poses a serious challenge for Toyota in the key South American market. The company will not only have to make significant investments in infrastructure recovery but also review its production and marketing strategies for the region. The delay in the Yaris Cross launch could affect the brand’s competitive position in the compact crossover segment, where the Brazilian market shows stable demand growth.