The British government has knocked on the door of several car manufacturers with a seemingly special request. Prime Minister Boris Johson would like manufacturers to help produce respirators instead of cars.
Johnson is said to have sent a letter to several companies, including Ford, Honda, Rolls-Royce and the British JCB that builds agricultural vehicles, according to the British coach. Johnson is afraid of a huge shortage of respiratory equipment. The UK public health system (NHS) now only has 5,000 such devices.
Ford and Honda confirm to Autocar that they have received such a letter. Ford says it wants to help where it can and says it is in talks with the government. The German group has three large British factories that mainly work on engines and gearboxes. Honda would be the now much discussed factory in Swindon. The current Civic is currently being built there, but closing the factory will be on the agenda within two years.
The letter is said to state: “Preparing for the spread of the corona virus outbreak is a national priority and we call on industry and anyone with relevant expertise to come together to help the country through this national crisis . ”