Ford plans to manufacture 50,000 ventilators in 100 days

KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the world is fighting a battle against the coronavirus. The pandemic disease has infected almost 7,80,000 persons and killed 37000 as of now. The number of positive cases is increasing every day. Developed nations like the USA have the highest number of positive cases. With this, you can estimate the panic it has created around all over the world. The case history of the coronavirus outbreak in China highlights the fact that things can become worse in other countries also. So all the national governments are taking precautionary measures to control the spread of coronavirus. Apart from sanitizing the areas,  following social distancing, the requirement of medical and personal protection equipment is also the need of the hour. To help the government in this area, many automakers have switched their vehicle production facilities to producing ventilators and medical equipment.

In this regard, the American automaker, Ford has planned to manufacture 50,000 ventilators for coronavirus patients within 100 days starting April 20. And after that, it will continue to manufacture 30,000 units per month. The production of ventilators will be executed at the Ford’s Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. For this, 500 members of UAW union have volunteered to work.

The design of the ventilator would be given by a company called Airon Corp. The company is specialized in high-tech pneumatic life support products. GE/Airon Model A-E ventilator can be quickly set up in an emergency room setting which operates on air pressure only and does not need electricity. 

Ford’s president and CEO, Jim Hackett said, "The Ford and GE Healthcare teams, working creatively and tirelessly, have found a way to produce this vitally needed ventilator quickly and in meaningful numbers.” He further added, "By producing this ventilator in Michigan, in strong partnership with the UAW, we can help health care workers save lives, and that’s our No. 1 priority."

Ford targets to manufacture 1,500 units by the end of April and 12,000 by the end of May, and 50,000 by July.

Other automakers who have extended their support for the production of ventilators are General Motors and Tesla. GM has partnered with another ventilator making firm, Ventec Life Systems, to increase production. While Tesla plans to produce ventilators at its Buffalo plant.

Also read: Proton lends its support to the Ministry of Health for the fight against COVID-19