Car giant Toyota has suspended car production in Britain, including the Midlands, and France for 12 days amid a sales slump after an accelerator recall.

The decision was revealed today as lawyers for Toyota, which has a major plant at Burnaston, near Derby, said those suing the car firm over alleged accelerator pedal problems have asked for more than 200 claims to be heard as a single case.

Both sides are asking a legal panel to consolidate cases so that they are examined together.

Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco 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.

He said: “One of the reasons has to do with revising our sales plans due to the negative effects of the recalls. 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.”

Toyota recalled more than eight million vehicles worldwide over a range of possible defects, including inadvertent acceleration caused by sticking pedals, some of which became trapped in floor mats.

A separate recall involved the Prius, when drivers reported intermittent brake performance in some circumstances.