Toyota plans to end production at a GM joint venture

WASHINGTON: Toyota Motor Corp. plans to end production in March 2010 at a California joint venture where it has built vehicles with General Motors Co.

A Toyota spokeswoman confirms that Toyota's board voted early Thursday to end the company's production contract at the Fremont, California-based New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.

The NUMMI plant's fate was thrown into question in June when GM announced it was withdrawing from the 50-50 joint venture as part of its bankruptcy.

The plant was established in 1984 and employs 4,600 workers. Toyota builds the Corolla compact car and Tacoma pickup trucks at the plant.

Japanese media outlets reported Wednesday that Toyota would slash worldwide capacity by 700,000 to 1 million vehicles.