Automakers Aid in Coronavirus Response

Photo from CDC.gov

Automakers like GM, Ford, and FCA have joined in to help fight the Coronavirus by partnering with other corporations to address shortages of face masks, ventilators, and other medical equipment.

GM and Ventec Life Systems, in cooperation with StopTheSpread.org, are collaborating to increase Ventec’s production of respiratory care products, according to this press release.

“We are working closely with Ventec to rapidly scale up production of their critically important respiratory products to support our country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO in the press release. “We will continue to explore ways to help in this time of crisis.”

Using GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing power will aid Ventec to build more of the respiratory products that are needed across the country during the pandemic.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is manufacturing and donating more than 1 million protective face masks per month. The masks are to be donated to police, EMTs, and firefighters, as well as to workers in hospitals and health care clinics who are on the front lines of the Coronavirus response.

“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,” said FCA CEO Mike Manley said in this article. “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.”  

Ford has partnered with 3M and GE Healthcare to produce medical equipment and protective gear for healthcare workers.

3M and Ford are working together to produce a new kind of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator for healthcare workers, while also increasing production of 3M’s current respirator device.

A PAPR has a clear mask that fits over the face. Air is drawn in through a tube connected to a pump that filters the air. It will be made with parts from both Ford and 3M, including fans that are used in the Ford F-150’s ventilated seats!

It will be made at 3M’s factory and possibly eventually at one of Ford’s Michigan factories.

“Working with 3M and GE, we have empowered our teams of engineers and designers to be scrappy and creative to quickly help scale up production of this vital equipment,” said Ford CEO Jim Hackett said in the company’s announcement. “We’ve been in regular dialogue with federal, state and local officials to understand the areas of greatest needs.”

Ford is also working with the United Auto Workers Union to assemble clear plastic face shields that protect people from possibly infectious bodily fluids. The Ford-designed masks are currently being tested at Detroit-area hospitals.

Using 3D printers at its Advanced Manufacturing Center, Ford is creating disposable air-filtering respirator masks. Once approved, they could initially produce 1,000 masks per month to help in the Coronavirus response.

In order to stay well informed, please visit the CDC’s website, or these sites specific to your state:
Wisconsin
Illinois
Iowa

For updated information about Runde Auto Group’s dealerships as we continue monitoring and navigating these challenging times, visit this page.