General Motors is working with Ventec, a ventilator company based in Washington, to boost supplies of the desperately needed equipment.
Hospitals say they do not have enough ventilators to care for the expected surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The companies say with GM’s support, Ventec is now planning exponentially higher ventilator production as fast as possible.
GM is also exploring the possibility of building ventilators for Ventec at its facility in Kokomo, Indiana.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan hospitals only have about 1,000 ventilators currently and many thousands more could be needed.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says it will begin manufacturing face masks in the coming weeks to help with a national shortage.
The company says it will donate the masks to first responders as well as workers in hospitals and health care clinics.
Fiat Chrysler says it is also working to boost the supply of ventilators.
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