KEY POINTS

  • Car maker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plans on converting one of their plants to produce face masks for frontliners in the United States
  • CEO Mike Manley announced the plan in a letter sent to his employees
  • FCA spokeswoman Shawn Morgan pointed that their plant in China has been chosen to produce the masks
  • They plan to produce “over a million face masks per month” which the company will donate to first responders and health care workers

Michigan-based car manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is set to convert one of its factories to produce face masks to protect frontliners in the United States as they face the surging and deadly effects COVID-19.

The announcement was made through a letter sent by FCA Chief Executive Officer Mike Manley to his employees, said The Detroit News.

In the letter, Manley expressed his decision to convert one of their plants to produce “over a million face masks per month” which the company will donate to first responders and health care workers.

Fiat Chrysler
A screen displays the ticker information for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV at the post where it's traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, Jan. 12, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Spokeswoman Shawn Morgan pointed that their plant in China has been chosen to produce the masks as it is the “fastest way we could get relief to U.S. first responders and health care workers.”

FCA engineers and manufacturing teams are teaming up with luxury car brand Ferrari to double the production of Siare Engineering International Group, a ventilator manufacturer based in Italy, said Reuters, citing Manley's letter.

General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Tesla Inc. have also relayed their plans to either work with ventilator companies to boost their production or build their own machine to help those who are affected by the deadly bug.

SmileDirectClub, a “direct to consumer tele-dentistry company,” and aircraft maker Airbus have expressed their intent to use their 3D printers to make respirator valves, medical masks and ventilator parts, respectively, said Yahoo Finance.

At the same time, famous fashion designer Christian Siriano and his team offered their services to sew medical masks in New York, while Hanes, Zara, L'Oreal, Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH) and different breweries and distillers in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia all took part in lending their services and expertise to produce essential needs that will further help and protect frontliners from COVID-19.

The mass help came after President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to aid in the production of medical supplies.

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