Impact of Coronavirus on the global auto industry: Daily Roundup

Both General Motors and Ford are on the verge of completing their respective ventilator orders issued by the US government. Now they are planning to move on with their regular car-making operations. While GM will transfer the ventilator-making operations to its partner Ventec, Ford’s ventilator section is being wound down with workers returning to their home plants.

Ferrari plans to reopen its factories on April 14 and in order to provide a safe working environment it will conduct voluntary screening of employees as well as their families for the COVID-19 virus.

Along with a local tech company, Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) will be manufacturing face shields and intubation boxes for COVID-19 frontliners.

Ford has extended the temporary suspension of production activities across Europe until May 4, excluding Spain, which is set to resume manufacturing from April 27. The automaker confirms that restart plans depend on the pandemic situation in the coming weeks, national restrictions at that time, supply constraints, and also the ability of dealers’ network.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Honda decided to increase the halt duration of its automobile, engine, and transmission plants in North America. Initially, the manufacturing was suspended on March 23 for just six days. Later on, it was extended till April 7, and this time delayed until May 1.

In order to promote social distancing, Hyundai decide to tweak its logo. Instead of mimicking two people shaking hands, it now shows them 'bump elbows'. Smart isn't it?

Along with other automakers like Nissan, Proton has also confirmed that vehicle warranties expiring during the movement control order period will ve extended to 30-days or 1,000 km following the last day of MCO.

Doing its bit in the war against COVID-19, Perodua has contributed RM 2 million to the National Disaster Management Agency fund. In addition, the automaker has also donated 300 pairs of rubber boots, 150 mattresses, 105 boxes of mineral water, 200 pillows, 15 industrial fans,.

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Audi has decide to donate 5 million euros to support medical institutions in its home town and also provide humanitarian aid at both the national and international level.

Seeing the increasing number of coronavirus cases in France, PSA Group and Valeo decide to contribute in the fight in form of factory space, volunteer workers, and technical know-how. In partnership with Air Liquide Medical Systems, they'll produce 10,000 ventilators by mid-May 2020.

Following the MCO advisory, Hyundai Malaysia has announced suspensions of all operations till April 14. Hyundai Roadside Assist service will remain active and can be contacted at 1-300-12-2000.

Seven UK-based F1 teams along with their technology divisions will manufacture and deliver respiratory devices that'll be used to treat COVID-19 patients. Also, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has developed a breathing aid called the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device that has received NHS approval.

Helping the nation in the fight against COVID-19, MBM Resources has decide to donate RM300,000. The fund will be used by the government to purchase medical equipment, purchase medicines, and other medical necessities.

To help frontliners fight the war against COVID-19, Volkswagen Group has announced to supply medical equipment to hospitals and doctors in Germany. Supplies include protective clothing, face masks, protective goggles, gloves, clinical thermometers, and disinfectants.

2020 NAIAS, also known as the Detroit Motors Show has been cancelled amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The TCF Center will be used as a field hospital for at least 6 months to treat COVID-19 cases.

Joining hands to fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus are seven Formula One team in the UK and Australia's Erebus Supercars team. While the F1 teams under Project Pitlane will produce ventilators, Erebus Supercars team will design and produce medical devices.

With the approval of regional authorities, manufacturers including Daimler, BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, Nissan, PSA Group, SAIC, FCA have resumed their production sites

In line with the ongoing Movement Control Order to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases, LDP operator announced a temporary and partial closure of five rightmost lanes.

The Malaysian government has announced a massive help of RM250 billion for the rakyat and business. Also, RM60 million will be channelled to 120,000 e-hailing drivers.

Doing its part amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, Toyota Capital Malaysia has announced a six month payment holiday from April 1 to September 30. The only condition being that customers should not have any loan payments owing for more than 90 days from April 1.

Clearing the doubts of many, Honda Malaysia recently announced that warranties expiring during the Movement Control Order would be extended by 30 days, starting from the last day of MCO. Also, all warranties will remain valid even if customers mill the regular maintenance service.

MG will supply 100 units of the ZS EVs for free, up to a period of six months to the National Health Service. It’s MGs way to support the UK’s effort to fight COVD-19 pandemic.

In a surprising turn of events, Ford announced that it would resume production in North America by April 6. Further, from April 14, it will restart the production of cars at the Ohio Assembly Plant, Dearborn Truck Plant, Kansas City Assembly Plant, and Kentucky Truck Plant.

Helping you fight the COVID-19 lockdown boredom, Audi has come up with free colouring book to keep children as well as adults entertained. In addition, Ian Callum, the legendary car designer has also posted sketches for colouring. Audi and Callum colouring books car be downloaded for free from Audi USA and Callum Designs website, respectively.

In line with the government's plan to further extend MCO, Isuzu Malaysia has announced a temporary closure of all its business operations until April 14. The service centres will also remain close, however, dealers will support emergency cases like breakdowns (subject to government directives).

In order to meet the urgent need for medical supplies and equipment, Ford is now working with firms like 3M and GE Healthcare. The company is leveraging its 3D printing capability to manufacture personal protective equipment. It plans to build 100,000 plus face shields in a weeks time.

In order to control the spread of COVID-19, Thailand is closing all its land borders and sea ports, including checkpoints at Myanmar, Malaysia Laos, and Cambodia. Airports will remain open. This temporary closure commenced from March 22 and will remain in place until further notice.

In view of the Movement Control Order, Audi Malaysia has suspended operations of all its dealerships in the country. As per the advisory, the centre doors will shut until March 31, however, the developments in the situation suggest an extension of MOC period.

MG has announced that it will pledge 20 million towards combating the ongoing Coronovirus pandemic. While half of the total amount will be donated by MG India, the other half will come from employee contribution. The money will be used for medical supplies like masks, gloves, ventilators, medicines, and more.

RM20 million worth of medical supplies and equipment will be donated by Petronas in order to assist healthcare front liners and hospitals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. It will be channelling essential supplies like - hospital beds, ventilators, digital thermometers, masks, personal protective equipment, and hand sanitizers.

After closing doors of its facilities in America and Europe, Ford has now announced to temporarily halt production at its IMG (International Markets Groups) manufacturing sites - South Africa, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. As per Ford, the shutdown will continue for weeks depending on the pandemic situation, supplier constraints, national restriction, and dealer stock requirements.

General Motors along with Ventec, the medical equipment manufacturer are coming together for the production of ventilators. This partnership is codenamed as ‘Project V’ and according to reports the ventilators would be manufactured at automakers Kokomo facility. The aim is to produce up to 200,000 units for which GM has arranged 95% of the required supplies and it is seeking to source the remaining 37 components.

Herbert Diess, Volkswagen Group CEO has raised concerns that the company’s manufacturing facilities closure may be prolonged due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In his Linkedin post over the weekend, Diess said, “Most of our factories are closing for two weeks, in some regions for three. It is likely that these measures will last,”

Amid the novel Coronavirus outbreak, Mazda will be suspending production for 13 days. Also, for 10 days, i.e., from March 28 to April 30, it will operate daytime shifts at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants. For plants that are located outside Japan, i.e., Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation will remain close for 10 days starting March 25 and Auto Alliance in Thailand will halt operation starting March 30, for 10 days.

In a fight against COVID-19, Aston Martin has announced a temporary suspension of its manufacturing operations in the UK. The initial suspension period is planned until April 20th. Post that, the automaker will review the situation and resume the operations only when it would be safe to do so.