Anyone who hopes the new year will offer some sort of miracle solution to the semiconductor shortfall plaguing the automobile sector should reconsider. With Toyota Motor Corp. declaring it will have to cease production at five of its factories in January, the unprecedented and potentially debilitating issue is most likely to continue without a solution for at least many months in 2022.

Toyota has set a goal of manufacturing nine million vehicles next year, down from 9.3 million previously announced, and while it claims the production stop at its five plants would have no affect on this overall objective, production of 20,000 vehicles is anticipated to suffer in the short term.

Toyota's decision to cease production at five of its factories comes only days after the company said that it expects to produce 800,000 cars in January, 60,000 more than in January 2021. Toyota is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, but the chip shortage has made life difficult for them, as it does for most other major companies. In North America, for example, the Japanese manufacturer estimates manufacturing to drop to 50,000 units in January.

It remains to be seen if the ongoing chip scarcity will have an impact on Toyota's ambitious electric-car plans. To compete with Tesla, Volkswagen, and others, the business has revealed intentions to have as many as 16 battery-powered vehicles in its worldwide lineup. The bZ4X will make its debut in the United States next year, followed by a number of other models, including an all-electric midsize sedan and a big electric SUV. However, the more immediate task of securing supplies and establishing production schedules is likely to consume the majority of resources.

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