Since the outbreak of the epidemic, all walks of life in the country are actively lending a helping hand, in which the automotive industry is active in the forefront of the epidemic prevention and control. According to incomplete statistics, the total donation value of the automobile industry and its neighboring industries has exceeded 1 billion yuan.
But the current epidemic is still serious, how to prevent a key issue, in which the mask has become a top priority. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology data:? China's maximum production capacity of masks is more than 20 million per day. In view of the current not yet fully resumed production, as well as China's huge population base, this production is really a drop in the bucket.
After the implementation of donations, donations, modified ambulances and other forms of assistance, car companies have begun to transition to the production of masks, which also ushered in the crowd's applause, after all, more than one masks, you can more than relieve a pressure. Let's take a look at the three major car manufacturers of masks.
1, the first response - SAIC-GM Wuling
As the first production of masks, as early as February 6, SAIC-GM Wuling was the first to say that it will be a joint supplier through the alteration of the production line to the production of masks. Immediately after that, on Feb. 9, its first batch of 200,000 masks rolled off the production line.
By the end of February, SAIC-GM-Wuling will also have built a 2,000-square-meter dust-free production plant, four production lines for N95 masks, and 10 production lines for general medical protection masks, with an expected daily production capacity of more than 1.7 million.
2, followed by - BYD
After SAIC-GM-Wuling, BYD also joined the "mask" camp, but with SAIC-GM-Wuling emergency alteration of the production line is different, BYD will directly masks manufacturing However, unlike SAIC-GM-Wuling, BYD will directly manufacture masks, which has been newly incorporated into its subsidiary (Shanwei BYD Industrial Co., Ltd.), and appears to be more at ease.
And in addition to masks, BYD has also added the research and development, production and sales of disinfectant products. According to BYD, its masks and disinfectant solution will be mass-produced and shipped around Feb. 17, with mask production capacity of up to 5 million per day by the end of February and disinfectant solution capacity of 50,000 bottles per day.
3, ready to go -- Guangzhou Automobile Group
In addition to SAIC-GM-Wuling and BYD, as a state-owned enterprise, Guangzhou Automobile Group is also in the "sharpening". In order to be able to implement the mask production issues, the leadership of the Guangzhou Automobile Group has been to Dongguan mask production equipment manufacturers to conduct research and study the technical feasibility of a new mask production line.
According to the latest news, the mask production will be responsible for by the BAIC Group Parts and Components Division, the first BAIC mask production equipment has been shipped on the 11th to the BAIC Parts and Technology Center for installation and debugging. It is expected that 12 units of equipment will be completed on February 22nd, and 30 units will be completed by the end of this month. From the point of view of this wave of solid operation of Guangzhou Automobile, the production is estimated to be no less.
The above three car companies can be in the epidemic prevention and control of the very period of time, cross-border manufacturing masks, is indeed very hardcore, but also worthy of praise. However, the front brother also said, although the car companies to build masks circle a lot of powder, but there is a part of the people for this matter there are still some questions, in this case, the front brother feel the need to here for everyone to solve the problem.
1, build cars into manufacturing masks, in fact, how to do?
Many people wonder how easy it is to realize the interoperability of the two industries that seem to have nothing to do with making cars and making masks. This involves making masks need to have the hardware conditions, that is, plant, equipment, materials and personnel, let's see how the car companies to get it done?
Plant - The plant for making medical masks needs to be dust-free and sterile to a certain degree, with constant temperature and humidity, etc. These requirements are similar to the "paint shop" in the four major processes of automobile manufacturing (stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly). For car companies, the workshop to build medical masks, as long as the paint shop can be slightly modified.
Equipment--Masks require specialized machinery and equipment, that is, production lines. And car companies only need to be purchased through the appropriate suppliers, like Guangzhou Automobile's own manufacturing and assembly, that's not to mention. As for the cost, a set of equipment for producing ordinary medical masks is about 150,000-200,000 yuan, and the equipment for producing N95 masks is about 300,000-350,000 yuan, which is not a big pressure for car companies.
Materials - the production of raw materials for the mask is mainly polypropylene, and in the supply chain of car companies, many acoustic cotton raw materials are also used to produce polypropylene, which in turn reflects the resource advantages of their own supply chain. In addition, China's petrochemical companies have the advantage of refining polypropylene, before Sinopec shouted, can transport raw materials to the door.
Personnel - there are workshops that meet the standards, production equipment in place, the supply of raw materials also has a certain guarantee, the last personnel will be good to say, for the car manufacturers, has a huge reserve of personnel, in technology and management also have experience, training and organizational learning, a short time on the job.
2, car companies have medical production qualifications, made masks meet safety standards?
Medical masks are classified as Class II medical devices in China, the production of such products, you need to apply for a "medical device product registration certificate", "medical device production license", for the layman's car companies, access to a certain degree of difficulty. But the current epidemic, through the government to open up the "green channel", meet the requirements of the car companies to obtain the speed will be accelerated.
Some people may say, the approval process is reduced, and is the urgent formation of the production line, that car companies to build masks can also guarantee compliance with national safety standards? People's concern is not justified, after all, substandard masks, not only can not play a real role in blocking the virus, but also because of allergies and other problems, causing harm to the body.
In response to this query, Kiang believes that the automotive industry has always been a strict standard of production, the norms and processes of the rigorous, many small and medium-sized enterprises can not reach. Compared to small workshops, small enterprises to produce masks, Kiang is more willing to believe that the quality of the masks produced by the car company's product quality, the reputation of the car company, if the quality and safety is not off, the risk of which you may wish to taste.
3, why not let the specialized industry to do, but let the car companies?
Some people think that there are specialties, why the medical equipment industry not to do, but let the automobile industry to produce masks? As I said earlier, masks are in short supply, and if we rely solely on those specialized enterprises to complete, simply can not support such a large demand, mobilize the power of the car companies, in fact, is to share the pressure of the mask manufacturing industry, to achieve the effect of the will of the people.
And in response to the government's call to join the mask-making is not the only automotive industry, such as PetroChina, Sinopec, Foxconn, Daddy's Baby (diaper companies), three gun underwear, Mercury Home Textiles and other enterprises are also converted to the production of masks, taking into account the current shortfall, it is expected that there will be more "amateurs" to join.
4, car companies made masks from which channel to buy?
"Masks are hard to buy" has become a recognized problem, and in accordance with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China's mask production in seconds only 0.5 seconds / only, however, in order to ensure safety, but also need to analyze the disinfection, the process of 7-15 days, which is the key reason for the shortage of masks made of cars. However, with the resumption of production, as well as the increase in the number of mask-making enterprises, this situation will be greatly alleviated.
And for the masks made by car companies, we are most concerned about nothing more than how to buy? In this regard, SAIC-GM-Wuling said, "not for sale", will be handed over to the government unified allocation, priority support for the medical front line. And for BYD production masks were snapped up rumors, the official also responded, the current production capacity is limited, the production of masks are mainly used in infected areas, hospitals, and virus-related research departments, and thereafter will be donated to buses, cabs, network car drivers and volunteers and other industry groups. If there are any masks left over after production capacity is increased, they will be considered for sale to the community at affordable prices.
Jiang also reminded everyone: the current supply of masks is tight, many traders fish in troubled waters, arbitrage, and even in the name of large enterprises to produce fake and shoddy, please do not be deceived.
In fact, car companies made masks in addition to the supply of the first line, but also have to take care of their own larger use demand. According to Automotive Business Review statistics, SAIC General Motors Wuling **** 25,000 employees, BYD Group has 220,000 people back to work production, Guangzhou Automobile has 110,000 employees, behind these bases, it will be a lot of "mask expenses".
Written in the end
For car companies to cross the border to make masks, I believe that we more or less will produce those questions, such as the qualification of the car companies, masks, safety issues, etc., which in fact, also shows that the epidemic has touched every one of us in the heart of the country. Border brother also hope that, through the above answer, can let everyone on the car enterprises to make masks have more have further understanding.
And in addition to questioning, we should see is that the current epidemic, car companies respond to the call of the country's responsibility and commitment, they will not only build cars, if necessary, but also on the front line, the fight "bayonet", district masks and what is enough to worry about.
In addition, as the only country in the world with all the industrial sectors listed in the United Nations Industrial Classification, China has shown strong mobilization and cohesion in the prevention and control of the epidemic, which is actually something we should be proud of. Kiang also believes that with the efforts of all parties in the country, we will soon get through this difficult time.
This article comes from the author of the automobile home car family number, does not represent the views of the automobile home position.