Musk, who doesn't care about the epidemic, also said that he would build a ventilator. Results Before his promise was fulfilled, he bought more than 1000 sets from China and donated them to California for emergency.
As the epidemic caused the factory to stop production, global car companies began to engage in sideline business. Following the production of ventilators by companies such as GM and FCA, Ford will also jointly produce ventilators, respirators, masks and other medical supplies with 3M and GE.
In order to cope with the uncertainty caused by the epidemic, GM took precautions and withdrew $654.38+06 billion in credit, doubling its cash. Some analysts said that the upcoming $32 billion in cash is enough to maintain the shutdown for 265.438+0 weeks.
In addition, a spokesman for the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) confirmed on March 24th that two workers in the FCA factory who were diagnosed with COVID-19 virus had died, which was the first batch of auto factory workers in the United States who died after being confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 virus.
Just built a ventilation device.
Musk purchased more than 65,438+0,000 emergency units from China.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk (Elon? Musk) has remained silent, and he also bluntly said that there is no need to worry about the coronavirus epidemic sweeping the world.
Just as GM and Ford discussed with the US government the production of ventilators to prevent and control the epidemic, Musk also tweeted on March 19, considering their air conditioning system and space? X's expertise in life support systems is not difficult to manufacture ventilators. If there is a shortage of ventilators, Tesla can also make them.
On March 22, Musk said that he was discussing cooperation with Medtronic, a medical device company, to jointly solve the supply shortage problem.
While everyone was expecting the manufacturing details of Tesla ventilators, the billionaire said on Twitter yesterday (March 24th) that he bought 65,438+0,255 ventilators from China last Friday (March 20th) and shipped them to LA by plane. He also sent a special tweet to thank Tesla China employees and customs officers for their help.
"Yes, the domestic supply exceeds the demand, so we bought 1255 FDA-certified Resmai, Philips and Medtronic ventilators on Friday night and airlifted them to Los Angeles. If you need to configure the ventilator for free, please let us know! " He posted a message on Twitter.
California Governor gavin Newson? Newsom) told reporters at the press conference that the ventilator has arrived in Los Angeles, and Musk has been working with hospital associations and other institutions to make the ventilator work in real time. This is a heroic effort.
Musk had previously said that the panic surrounding the outbreak was "stupid." He believes that although there is evidence that the virus will be very serious for some children, children are "basically immune". After arguing with local officials about the shutdown for several days, Musk finally decided to close the assembly plant in fremont on March 24th.
Newsome said that six companies in California have provided factories to produce surgical gowns, and he is negotiating with 25 other suppliers, hoping that they can manufacture 3D printed masks for medical staff. According to the latest forecast, California will face a shortage of 50,000 beds due to the spread of the epidemic. At present, it is planned to purchase 654.38 billion pairs of protective gloves and more than 500 million pairs of masks.
Ford teamed up with 3M and General Electric.
Production of ventilators, respirators and masks
Ford Motor Company announced on March 24th that it would "accelerate the production" of medical protective products such as respirators, ventilators and protective masks to help fight the coronavirus epidemic.
Inside the company, it is called "Apollo Project" (Project? Apollo), inspired by Apollo 13 keen space rescue operation.
Will cooperate with 3M Company to produce "power air purifying respirator" and apply the existing parts of the two companies to new products. At present, Ford is likely to produce this new respirator at the Michigan factory.
Ford executives said that in the past four days, the two companies had heated discussions, in which the company's engineers played a key role. The new product will use parts of the company's best-selling product F- 150, portable battery packs and some 3D printed parts.
"Ford and 3M have been looking for some ready-made components, such as the Ford F- 150 fan for cooling seats, 3M? HEPA air filter material can filter out pollutants in the air, such as droplets carrying viruses, and the portable battery pack can make the respirator work for up to eight hours. " Ford said in a press release.
"Ford is considering how to produce these new generation PAPR protection devices in its manufacturing plant in Michigan, which will help 3M increase its production by 65,438+00 times."
The cooperation between the company and 3M in air purification respirator is divided into two aspects. On the one hand, it is helpful to improve the output of 3M's current products. On the other hand, we adopt a new design and add our own parts to produce a newly designed respirator, so that the new product can be used for more than 8 hours.
Ford also cooperated with General Electric Medical Company (GE? Healthcare) cooperation, expand the production of simple version of ventilator. In addition to the production base of General Electric, it can also be produced at the production base of Ford.
UAW will also play a key role in the production of medical supplies. Ford and UAW workers will produce more than 65,438+10,000 protective masks every week, and about 75,000 will be completed this week, and the production site will be located in Plymouth, Michigan.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford (Bill? Ford) said on the Today Show on March 24th, "Whenever we are needed, we will be there."
Under the pressure of UAW, Ford also temporarily closed its North American factory until March 30th. However, Kumar, president of Ford North America? Galhotra) said in a statement on March 24 that the start-up time may continue to be delayed, but no specific time was given.
General Motors withdrew $654.38+06 billion from credit, doubling its cash.
Cancel the financial target for 2020
Due to the uncertainty caused by the epidemic, GM will withdraw its financial performance target for 2020. In order to maintain liquidity, it is also "actively taking austerity measures", and plans to withdraw $654.38+06 billion from revolving credit to double the current cash flow.
The company called this a "precautionary measure" to maintain financial flexibility. Previously, it was predicted that the cash reserve at the end of March was about 654.38+0.5 billion to 654.38+0.6 billion US dollars.
In response to the epidemic, GM has announced that its North American factory will be closed at least until March 30th. Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets Corporation (RBC? Capital? Markets) analyst Joe Spark (Joe? Spak) estimated in a customer report that GM's upcoming cash of $32 billion is enough to maintain production suspension for 265,438+0 weeks.
CEO Mary Bora (Mary? Barra) said in a statement: "We are actively taking austerity measures to maintain cash flow, taking necessary measures to manage liquidity in a changing and uncertain environment, ensuring the feasibility of our business and protecting our customers and stakeholders."
In the statement, GM did not mention any plans to change the company's dividend payment. Company spokesperson Julie Houston-Rafe (Julie? Huston-Rough said that the company had paid a dividend of $0.38 per share in the first quarter on March 20th.
"There is still about a month before we announce the dividend for the second quarter," Julie said. "Before making a decision, we will evaluate the changes in the macro environment."
General finance (GM? Financial)' s working capital at the end of 20 19 was about $24 billion, and it is expected to maintain a similar level in the first quarter, enabling it to provide cash support for six months without entering the capital market channel.
"General Finance is ready for such a moment and has always maintained a strong financial position in order to get cash at any time. We believe that we can meet the challenges brought by the current environment without general funds. " Dan Bos, President of General Finance (Dan? Berce) said.
19 In March, Ford Motor Company also withdrew a loan of154 billion US dollars from Ford Credit Company, withdrew its financial forecast target for 2020, and decided to suspend dividend payment.
UAW confirmed that two FCA workers died in COVID-19.
On March 24th, UAW spokesman confirmed that two FCA factory workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 virus had died, which was the first automobile factory worker in the United States who died after being confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 virus.
One of the employees is located in Sterling, Michigan. Heights) works in Ram pickup factory, and another worker works in Cocomo, Indiana. The time of death of these workers is still unknown.
The UAW spokesman had no other information about these people, and could not confirm whether they were two workers who were tested positive for the virus at Stirling assembly plant and Kocomo transmission plant in early March. The FCA spokesperson did not disclose any information on the grounds of protecting employees' privacy.
"On behalf of myself and the entire International Executive Committee, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of two members who were killed by the virus." Rory gamble, chairman of UAW? Gamble) said in a statement, "This is a terrible tragedy for our entire UAW family."
FCA has closed all assembly plants in North America until at least the end of this month. Previously, after a worker in Stirling was found to be infected with the virus, the company briefly closed the factory. On March 12, a worker in Cocomo factory also tested positive for COVID-19.
This news may increase the number of FCA employees who died of the virus to three. On March 22nd, Detroit Freedom reported that a technician who was not a member of FCA UAW died after testing positive. Subsequently, the automaker announced that it would postpone its headquarters in auburn hills, Michigan. Hills) related work of test laboratory and test factory.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.