China.com.cn, March 30? This reporter has recently learned that in order to cope with the spread of the epidemic, Toyota plans to produce much-needed face masks and masks at its manufacturing plants in the United States. Toyota has now reached an agreement with the medical device maker to help it increase production.
Toyota previously said it would begin mass-producing masks in early April to supply hospitals near its plants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Texas.
Toyota is said to have signed agreements with two companies to produce respirators and breathing masks and is looking for partners to produce protective masks. This comes as Toyota has extended its North American plant shutdown by two weeks.
Tetsuo Ogawa, chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America (Ted?Ogawa), said, "As a result of the plant idling, we are eager to contribute our expertise and technology to help quickly bring to market the medical supplies and equipment needed to respond to the crisis of the new coronavirus outbreak. Our message to the medical device community is that we are here and willing to help, so please utilize our expertise."
Toyota's plant in Portugal is understood to have been closed for two weeks beginning March 16, and from March 18 through March 31, Toyota suspended all three shifts at its French plant. Toyota's plant in the Philippines has also been shut down since March 17, with production not scheduled to resume until around mid-April.
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