Crisis-hit Toyota yesterday said it will suspend production at its plants in Britain and France for a total of 12 days from next week after a global sales dip following its mass safety recalls.

The world's largest automaker will halt work at its British factories from next Monday to Thursday and again from April 6 to 9, when it will also temporarily stop output from its plant in France.

In recent months, the Japanese giant has been forced to recall more than eight million vehicles worldwide mostly due to problems with sudden acceleration, which have been blamed for 58 deaths in the United States. A Toyota spokesman said the initial stoppages in Britain and France are due to lower sales, while the second four-day closure in Britain will be in preparation for the production of a new model.

"One of the reasons has to do with revising our sales plans due to the negative effects of the recalls," said spokesman Paul Nolasco.

"The other reason is that we are getting ready to build a new hybrid vehicle in our UK plant. In that case it is very customary to close a plant for a few days, or even a few weeks."

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