By refusing to release 2,000 plant workers at a Tundra production line in San Antonio, Texas, Toyota, Motor Corp. has indicated that it is prepared to wait out the slump in pickup sales at least for the next three months.

Operations at the San Antonio factory will be suspended in August in the face of a 50% drop in sales over the first six months of 2008 compared to the 2007 figures. Presumably Toyota will re-evaluate its position in three months relative to increased consumer demand for fuel efficient vehicles.

In the interim, "team members will continue to report to work and will continue to work as a two-shift operation, and they will be paid 100 percent of wages," said Mike de la Garza, a spokesman for Toyota. The time will be used for "training and development, to continue quality improvement activities, and to perform community service work."

Obviously the decision is one designed to general good will as evidenced by remarks from Bexar county Judge Nelson Wolff, "We're appreciative of the fact that they are sticking with their employees during a very difficult time. Very few other companies in the United States would do something like that."

Competitor General Motors plans to shutter four North American plants and one Canadian facility and is considering either selling or restructuring its Hummer brand. For its part, Ford Motor Co. has delayed the launch of the new F-150 due to surplus inventory.