The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed another victim in the manufacturing community.

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing announced it has delayed the start of production until later next year.

Delivery of vital equipment and construction work have been adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Plant officials have notified state and local government agencies about the delay, said Toni Eberhart of MTMUS corporate communications.

“On April 9, we informed state and local government officials in Alabama, along with our key suppliers how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our ability to maintain critical equipment delivery schedules, creating labor shortages, and slowing construction,” she said in a statement. “As a result, we will delay the start of production of the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant to a time period later in 2021.

“We are eager to keep the project moving forward and appreciate the ongoing support of all key stakeholders.”

The plant’s two production lines – Apollo and Discovery – were slated to begin next April and August.

Some 4,000 workers will be employed at the $1.6 billion plant once full production is underway in 2022.