The automotive sector could soon be doing more than just fixing vehicles in the fight against Coronavirus, with companies gearing up to manufacture ventilators.

The government announced last Monday (16 March) that it was looking for businesses who could support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components across the UK as part of the response to COVID-19.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has now provided ventilator blueprints to a host of VMs and parts suppliers, including Jaguar Land Rover and Unipart, as well as expert manufacturers in a number of other industries.

The aim, as reported by Wired, is to boost the number of ventilators available to the NHS by making at least 20,000 more. The Prime Minister hopes this could begin as soon as early April.

Commenting, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The UK automotive industry stands ready to support government and the national effort in any way possible, from helping with mass-scale design and production of ventilators, to providing and maintaining essential vehicles for key workers and the vulnerable in our communities. Despite the vast pressure it is under, the sector is fundamentally strong with a highly skilled and dedicated workforce that is ready to meet the immense challenge that lies ahead of all of us.”