Toyota's board voted to halt production at the Nummi plant in Fremont, California, a facility built in 1984 that Toyota shared with General Motors.  GM ended the partnership several months ago, which immediately started rumors of a possible plant closure sometime in 2010.

The Nummi plant produces the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Tacoma along with the Pontiac Vibe (which is being killed along with the Pontiac brand).

United Auto Workers union members have entered negotiations with New United Motor Manufacturing officials, attempting to see if there is any way Toyota will keep the factory open longer.  The Nummi facility served as Toyota's first  manufacturing foray in the United States, with Nummi employees saying it was them who helped shape Toyota's success.

Toyota, which hasn't had to close a plant outside Japan, was rumored to announce the plant's closure last spring.  Nummi currently employs 4,600 employees, and if Toyota halts production, then the plant's closure will put all of those employees out of work.  Furthermore, supports indicate the ripple effect from Nummi's closure could impact up to 50,000 people.

Toyota is expected to reduce worldwide capacity from 1 million vehicles down to 700,000, with the Nummi closure expected to help Toyota reach that goal.