Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it has halted 10 production lines at six factories in central Japan as it is having difficulty procuring springs following an explosion at one of its suppliers.

The automaker said it will keep the affected production lines shut through Wednesday and has decided to stop operations at another plant in the region in addition to the six factories, it said. It is unknown when it can resume operations at the plants.

The accident happened Monday afternoon at Chuo Spring Co.'s factory in the city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, the automakers said. Two male workers, one in his 30s and another in his 40s, were injured with one taken to hospital for treatment, according to Chuo Spring.

The explosion damaged part of the supplier's facility, including its drying furnace, and the cause of the accident is still being investigated, Chuo Spring said.

Toyota has 14 assembly factories across Japan which produce cars for both domestic and overseas markets.

The affected lines include those that assemble the popular Land Cruiser and RAV4 sport utility vehicles.

==Kyodo

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