Toyota to restart output in Tianjin

Toyota Motor Corp is beginning trial production of cars at its China plants that were shut after explosions in Tianjin, the first step in reopening the facilities following a two-week closure, people familiar with the matter said.

Workers have returned to the plants and Toyota is preparing to resume output on a trial basis before making a decision this week on whether to resume full production, said the sources, who asked not to be named discussing private plans. A test run of about 100 cars will start on Wednesday, one of the sources said.

Production has been shut down at Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co, the Japanese carmaker's local affiliate, since the Aug 12 blasts at a chemical storage site in the northern Chinese port city. The explosions killed at least 135 people and injured 67 Toyota workers who live in the area. About 4,700 Toyota and Lexus vehicles were also damaged.