BYD, a Chinese EV-maker based in Shenzhen and backed by U.S. investor Warren Buffett, is looking to combat the current coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 3,200 people in China.
Their solution comes in the form of building a new mask production line, on which they started working in late January. BYD also produces around 300,000 bottles of hand sanitizers per day, said the carmaker in statement, as reported by Reuters.
BYD, who also builds EV batteries, said that it will give masks to its workers in order to ensure regular production, but will also supply other people in the Hubei province (as well as hospitals and public transport), the epicenter of the viral outbreak.
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Globally, there have been more than 134,500 reported cases of coronavirus infections, with more than 4,900 fatalities, as per government announcements. The total number of cases in mainland China remains a staggering 80,813.
Right now, factories in China are slowly but surely resuming production, with a number of manufacturers refitting production lines to make masks and medical clothing in order to meet the growing demand. For example, SGMW, a Guangxi-based joint venture between GM, SAIC Motor and a local partner, is making around 2 million masks per day.
The general consensus around the globe is that in most countries, the outbreak is just in its initial stages, which means further industry disruptions can be expected.
In the US, it was announced just this week that two people tested positive for the coronavirus in the state of Michigan, leading analysts to believe that America’s automobile industry could potentially be disrupted since Michigan-based factories account for at least 17% of the country’s entire automotive output.
