Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.TO) said Saturday that it would consider liquidation of its California-based auto production joint venture with General Motors Co.

The comment is the latest by the Japanese auto maker about the future status of the joint venture called New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or Nummi.

"Under the current business environment, we have no way but to begin full consideration of production at Nummi" including liquidating or continuing the business operations, said a Toyota spokesman.

GM said in late June that it will end the venture with Toyota after the U.S. auto maker decided to discontinue the Pontiac Vibe, which it currently produces at the venture. Toyota and GM launched the joint venture in 1984.

At that time, Toyota said only that it plans to continue building the Corolla and Tacoma at the factory for the time being.

-By Yoshio Takahashi and Hiroyuki Kachi, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-6895-7562; yoshio.takahshi@dowjones.com; hiroyuki.kachi@dowjones.com