In a statement posted on its Chinese website (www.toyota.com.cn), Toyota said that after discussions with its Chinese partners, it had decided to adjust production schedules for its plants in China. Production at plants producing cars would run at half of normal capacity until June 3, Toyota said. "In extreme situations, production rates may be adjusted to 30 percent," the company said, without elaborating. Toyota also said it would bring forward the summer break for plants in China producing auto parts to late April or early May.

The automaker added that it would review production schedules for its China plants after June 6. On Tuesday, Toyota announced it would cut U.S. vehicle production and may have to lower its 2011 U.S. sales target despite some improvement in the flow of parts from Japan.