In this March 21, 2021 file photo, the company logo adorns a sign outside a Toyota dealership in Lakewood, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it expects global output for November to fall by as much as 15 percent, or 150,000 units, from its initial plan for around 1 million due to difficulty securing parts amid pandemic-disrupted supply chains and a semiconductor crunch.

       Despite the production cut, Toyota maintained its output target of 9 million vehicles for the year through March 2022 as it aims to ramp up output in the coming months. The full-year outlook was trimmed from 9.3 million units last month.

       Toyota has been known for its robust supply chains, but the spread of COVID-19 has affected its output in recent months.

       Automakers have been forced to curb production in response to parts shortages caused by surging coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia that led to factory shutdowns. The global chip crunch had already hit auto manufacturers as the pandemic boosted demand for semiconductors, key components used in everything from game consoles to cars.

       Toyota said total production is expected to reach 850,000 to 900,000 vehicles in November, down from around 1 million planned earlier. The production volume compares with about 830,000 in November 2020.

       The world's No. 1 automaker by volume said it is cutting output by around 50,000 units in Japan and between 50,000 and 100,000 overseas.

       "Since we are still experiencing a shortage of some parts and will be unable to make up for previous production shortfalls, we have adjusted our initial production plans for November," Toyota said in a release.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0