[wheelguy]

In a joint statement, GM and Ventec Life Systems -- cooperating with StopTheSpread.org which is the private sector response to COVID-19 -- said they are collaborating to boost production of Ventec ventilators, reports Forbes.

San Francisco: In a bid to help battle the novel coronavirus pandemic, General Motors has announced it will use its resources to help produce much-needed ventilators for treating COVID-19 patients.

In a joint statement, GM and Ventec Life Systems -- cooperating with StopTheSpread.org which is the private sector response to COVID-19 -- said they are collaborating to boost production of Ventec ventilators, reports Forbes.

GM has taken a cue from Fiat Chrysler and Ford to shut down all North American auto production amid the spread of COVID-19, the disease the novel coronavirus causes.

As of now, these automakers expect the shutdown to last until March 30 to protect workers at production plants across the continent.

Bothell, Wash.-based Ventec will "leverage GM's logistics, purchasing and manufacturing expertise" to build additional ventilators.

"By tapping their expertise, GM is enabling us to get more ventilators to more hospitals much faster. This partnership will help save lives," said Chris Kiple, Ventec CEO in the statement, according to the Forbes report.

Source

[Ithaca]

Off Topic, Shane Warne is converting his Gin distillery to manufacture Hand sanitizer which he plans to sell at cost.
Kudos to him.

LEGENDARY Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has turned his hand from making gin to making hand-sanitizer as shortages frustrate attempts to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: US News

[GTO]

Volkswagen is exploring options too.

German automaker Volkswagen (VW) said on Friday that it would contribute to global efforts to use 3D printing for the production of hospital ventilators, in the fight to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Governments around the world have sought to enlist automakers, including Ford, General Motors, Ferrari and Nissan, to ramp up production of ventilators and other medical equipment that face shortages and are critical to saving lives.

VW said in a statement that a task force was exploring how to use 3D printing to help manufacture ventilators.

Source

[wheelguy]

The German government needs manufacturers to make masks and ventilators. The request comes as part of wider efforts to tackle supply bottlenecks in the fight against coronavirus.

The German government asked domestic car manufacturers to consider producing medical equipment such as masks and ventilators to help fight against the the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

The request forms part of wider efforts by authorities to tap engineering and production resources and tackle severe supply bottlenecks in critical medical equipment, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the talks aren’t public.

“This is a company decision. Companies have to take the decision themselves,” said a spokesperson for the country’s economy ministry.

Political leaders in the U.S. and Europe have intensified talks over engaging private companies across industries in the battle against the virus as health care systems reel from a surging number of infections and fatalities. At some Spanish hospitals, doctors and nurses have even resorted to taping garbage sacks to their arms to shield themselves after running out of disposable coats.

A spokesman for carmaker Volkswagen AG said in an emailed statement the company is in talks with authorities and has forged an international task force to explore options. While medical equipment was a new venture for the firm, it could start production as soon as it receives the necessary information, he said.

The firm has more than 125 industrial 3-D printers that have so far been mainly used to build components for vehicle prototypes, the spokesman added.

Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess said Saturday the manufacturer started building up production capacity for protective masks in China, and is supporting German authorities with temperature measuring devices, masks, disinfectants and diagnostic equipment. Daimler AG has received requests from authorities and is currently exploring options, a company spokesman said by phone on Sunday. Volkswagen and Daimler have also agreed to donate more than 300,000 protective masks from their existing resources to health organizations.

The virus crisis is crippling economies the world over. Germany’s will shrink by 5% this year due to the impact of the pandemic, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported Sunday, citing calculations taken from the government’s supplemental budget.

Over the past week, companies unrelated to the medical-device industry have offered to retool factories to help make equipment to treat the afflicted. Ferrari NV and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV are in talks with Italy’s biggest ventilator manufacturer to help boost its output, while in the U.S, General Motors Co. has said it could use some excess factory space to build hospital ventilators.

Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. who initially downplayed the risks posed by the virus, tweeted Saturday that he had talked with Medtronic Plc about making ventilators.

Medtronic said earlier in the week it will more than double its capacity to make and supply ventilators to fight the global pandemic, with the machines playing a critical role in assisting patients with respiratory functions.

In Spain, the government is working with different companies to produce medical instruments and material needed to fight the pandemic, such as ventilators for intensive care units, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a speech Sunday.

“Public companies such as Navantia, as well as Airbus are working against the clock to produce these kind of ventilators,” Sanchez said. Navantia SA is a Spanish shipbuilder and Airbus SE has a plant in Spain.

Source

[GTO]

The last time that car makers were asked to make something else by the government was aircraft / weapons during the world war. Make no mistake, what we are seeing today is no less than an all-out war. Only difference is, the enemy is invisible, everywhere and cannot be killed (period).

[wheelguy]

March 23, 2020 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is stepping in to help those at the front line of the coronavirus pandemic by manufacturing and donating more than 1 million protective face masks per month. Production capacity is being installed this week and the company will start manufacturing face masks in the coming weeks with initial distribution across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The face masks are to be donated by FCA to police, EMTs and firefighters, as well as to workers in hospitals and health care clinics. This action is the first of a multifaceted global program being developed by the company through applying manufacturing, supply chain and engineering expertise to support the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Commenting on this initiative, FCA CEO Mike Manley said: “Protecting our first responders and health care workers has never been more important. In addition to the support we are giving to increase the production of ventilators, we canvassed our contacts across the healthcare industry and it was very clear that there is an urgent and critical need for face masks. We’ve marshalled the resources of the FCA Group to focus immediately on installing production capacity for making masks and supporting those most in need on the front line of this pandemic.”

FCA will be working through national, regional and city authorities to ensure that the donated face masks are being directed to the people and facilities in the most immediate need. The company will disclose further actions related to the fight against the coronavirus in the coming days.

Source: FCA Press Release

[TusharK]

MG Motor India has announced a donation of Rs. 2 crore for government hospitals and health institutions providing medical assistance in Gurgaon, Haryana and Halol, Gujarat.



MG will contribute Rs. 1 crore, while the remaining Rs. 1 crore will be donated by its employees. Depending on the requirements of the government hospitals and health institutions, MG will contribute gloves, masks, ventilators, medicines and beds.

MG has also advised its dealers to ensure an insurance cover for their 5,000 employees across the country.

Link to Team-BHP News

[libranof1987]

I was mighty impressed with MG when I read the title; but then read the sneaky part of 1cr being taken off employees. I don't know what the composition of the employee base for this donation is going to be, but unless it is only senior white collar staff, the blue collar/bottom-of-the-pyramid employees aren't going to be thrilled.

That said, if this donation means no job losses, no one would complain too much. Every bit helps.

[fhdowntheline]

Generally the blue collar staff might be exempted or it may be voluntary. At the management levels it may be mandatory.

[KMT]

Given that this Virus originated in China, all Chinese brands will have to spend a fair bit re-building lost goodwill.

I am sure will have to spend more than a measly $250,000 (Rs 2cr) in other parts of the world for brand rebuilding.

[DieselAddikt]

Originally Posted by KMT

I am sure will have to spend more than a measly $250,000 (Rs 2cr) in other parts of the world for brand rebuilding.

Exactly what I thought. Spending $250000 (half of it from employees) is not particularly impressive and it doesn't require a separate thread. In this situation, every rupee counts. That is true. But some others are doing much more. Whats the big deal here ?

[TusharK]

According to a media report, Maruti Suzuki is evaluating the possibility of manufacturing ventilators.



The Government of India has reportedly reached out to automakers for assistance in the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

According to RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, the company will be looking into the matter and taking a call in 1-2 days.

Mahindra has already announced that it will start manufacturing ventilators for Covid-19 patients. Mahindra Holidays has also offered its resorts that could be used as temporary care facilities for patients. Besides this, the Mahindra Foundation will be setting up a fund to assist small businesses and self employed persons in their value chain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN5dpYEe2MY

Link to Team-BHP News

[mura]

Relevant to this: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...irus-covid-19/

[wheelguy]

Originally Posted by mura

Relevant to this: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...irus-covid-19/

An interesting approach, trying to build a ventilator from the existing parts bin could speed up the things and also helps produce good quality products in short notice.

[wheelguy]

New Delhi: As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise at a rapid pace in the country, Bajaj Auto on Thursday announced a relief fund of Rs 100 crore to provide necessary healthcare infrastructure.

The aid will support the government and identified private sector hospitals to upgrade ICUs, procure additional ventilators, and personal protection equipment, enhance testing, and set up isolation units, the company said in a statement.

"In Pune, the company will support upgradation of key healthcare infrastructure required to tackle Covid-19. Bajaj is working with the Government and our network of over 200+ NGO partners, we will ensure these resources reach those who need it the most," the statement added.

"Once again, we salute all the health care, sanitation and emergency support workers and local police who are working tirelessly to contain the situation. We continue to be committed towards helping them in every possible manner to fight this pandemic. Together, we will ensure that our communities remain healthy and have all the support to tide through these unprecedented time," they further added.

Food and Shelter:

Additionally, the company also working with organisations in multiple geographies to extend immediate support to the most affected - daily wage workers, the homeless and street children. Bajaj group will support initiatives on food supply, shelter and access to sanitation and healthcare.

Rural care and livelihood aid:

In the last few weeks, there has been a reverse migration to the villages. "We are thus committing a significant portion of our support towards an economic aid programme in rural areas which includes a direct survival grant, followed by a livelihood intervention using a revolving fund model. The family pays back the loan from the earnings of the livelihood intervention - leading to 80 percent of funds provided to family being returned to a community fund for further deployment to others in need within the community. We will also work with authorities and partners towards creating awareness on Covid-19 and strengthening health infrastructure in the rural areas, including supporting and strengthening diagnostic centres and isolation facilities," the company said in its statement.

Source: ET Auto