Bloomberg reported that Toyota Motor Corporation may close New United Motor Manufacturing Inc, the California venture abandoned by General Motors Co, as its US sales slump amid the recession.

Toyota Motor said that "We are considering various options on the plant including whether it's economically feasible to build cars alone without GM. We regrettably must seriously consider dissolving the venture under the current business environment."

Toyota's response came after GM emerged from bankruptcy to become majority owned by the US government. Toyota aims to decide by the end of July whether to become sole operator of New United Motor after GM quit the venture June 29th 2009.

(Sourced from www.bloomberg.com)