A Cyberattack Blocks Toyota's Domestic Factory Operations

Toyota Motor Corp. has had to halt production after a cyberattack hit one of its suppliers. As a result, 13 thousand cars in 14 domestic plants, including its Daihatsu and Hino Motors affiliates, will have to wait for electric components and plastic parts before they go on sale. The Japanese automotive manufacturer has yet to find out the real culprits.

Considering that the hack occurred shortly after Japan followed suit and started imposing severe restrictions on Russia, following its Ukraine invasion, the investigation should find out whether the perpetrators of the cybercrime against Toyota have any Russian ties or not.

A Supplier System Failure

Dubbed as a supplier system failure, the hack hit Kojima Industries Corp., Toyota's electric components and plastic parts supplier. Since Toyota has adopted the just-in-time production method, which means it has no spare parts in stock, the manufacturing process cannot proceed until Kojima Industries cope with the attack. Hopefully, they are expected to do so in a day or two.

That is not the first time the Japanese carmaker has had production issues lately. Last year, Toyota's North American plants had to curb production after Canadian truckers blocked many routes protesting against the Covid-19 vaccination rules, thus causing a logistical nightmare across the U.S.-Canadian border. Similar disruptions have been popping up out of nowhere since the very start of the global Covid pandemic, as well.

While the hack may or may not have any connection to Russia, the Japanese government expects to see more attacks down the line, especially after the country announced plans to send emergency aid worth $100 million to Ukraine.