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A dust collector exploded at a Toyota parts supplier plant in Aichi Prefecture a little over a week ago. The explosion resulted in loss of life, as well as halting production of the brand’s wildly popular RAV4 SUV. Now, though, Toyota is set to resume production of the RAV4 after shutting down multiple production lines. 

After an exploding dust collector shut down production at multiple lines, Toyota says it will resume production of the RAV4 today

A March 6 explosion at a majority Toyota-owned parts supplier brought the brand’s domestic production of its best-selling SUV, the RAV4, to a screeching halt. Tragically, an employee died in the dust collector explosion, and two others suffered injuries. 

In the aftermath of the blast, Toyota shut down three production lines across two of its plants in the Aichi Prefecture. Both plants were instrumental to the RAV4’s Japanese production. However, Toyota recently announced that it would be resuming production of the RAV4 in Aichi after over a week of manufacturing chaos.

It’s good news for fans of the budget-minded compact SUV. The RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in the United States in 2024, with Americans taking 475,193 RAV4s home. That’s second only to the entire lineups of Ford F-Series and the Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks. Still, the RAV4 managed to dethrone the F-150, America’s favorite pickup truck, as prices stay sky high and buyers seek cheaper options. 

It’s unclear whether the tragic explosion will hamper RAV4 deliveries to American buyers

The lack of production will impact the RAV4’s sales figures for the year. But it’s not etched in stone quite how much the lapse in production will impact sales in the United States. Japanese-made RAV4s account for around 21% of the models the brand sold last year, per Automotive News.

On the other hand, Toyota produces most US-market RAV4s in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Woodstock, Canada. That said, the Japanese automaker already said that the RAV4 is the only model with a potential for disruption. Of course, building a modern vehicle is a globalized process involving components from all over the world. Only time will tell how much damage the blast and its aftermath dealt to US RAV4 sales in 2025.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.