The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced the hand of local authorities to come up with the best life-saving solutions. In the United Kingdom, this includes stockpiling on ventilators, although since global demand for the critical life-care machines used in ICUs is too high, the government reached out to automakers.

The British media reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will discuss the situation with car makers and engineering firms, trying to find the best approach and seeing if they can build ventilators. Autocar revealed that among the automotive companies that will be approached for further discussions are Rolls-Royce, Ford, Honda and JCB.

Some brands, such as Ford, responded in a positive manner: “We want to help where we can in the current situation, and we have been approached on this specific matter and are currently in discussion”, a spokesperson told the publication.

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Others refrained from commenting, or did so without offering any clue as to what they might or might not do: “We have been contacted by the government about the feasibility of Honda supporting the manufacture of additional ventilators”, said a Honda spokesperson.

Toyota, on the other hand, revealed that it would be “more than willing” to look into the matter, although they haven’t been approached yet.

In a statement quoted by BBC, Downing Street said: “Preparing for the spread of the coronavirus outbreak is a national priority and we’re calling on the manufacturing industry and all those with relevant expertize who might be able to help to come together to help the country tackle this national crisis. We need to step up production of vital equipment such as ventilators so that we can all help the most vulnerable, and we need businesses to come to us and help in this national effort.”

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The country allegedly has 5,000 ventilators, although many more would be needed, as they are a critical part in the medical apparatus. Experts estimate that between 10 and 20 percent of those who get the virus are going to need critical care, and many of them will have difficulties breathing, so the complex medical devices will save lives.

The big unknowns are whether the companies in the automotive field can and will convert some of their assembly lines to build ventilators, if they have the expertise to make them and if they can quickly source the necessary components. Some believe that if everything falls in line with this idea, it will be weeks until production actually begins.

Partially reshuffling the automotive sector has reminded people of World War Two and the production of the Spitfire aircraft in the UK.