COVID-19 update: Over 20 carmakers temporarily shut down due to the virus

COVID-19 update: Over 20 carmakers temporarily shut down due to the virus

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VOLKSWAGEN: Volkswagen announced on March 19 that it would be temporarily suspending production at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, manufacturing plant from March 21 to conduct a deep clean of the facility and sanitize the entire factory. It also announced it will suspend production at numerous production sites across Europe, including Slovakia, Portugal and Spain. The automaker added that all its staff will continue to receive their full salary during this time.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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HYUNDAI: On March 18 the South Korean automaker said it will temporarily shut down its plant in Montgomery, Alabama, and undergo sanitation measures after a worker tested positive for COVID-19. It said it expected to reopen by April 13.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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ROLLS-ROYCE: On March 18 the British luxury marque said it would suspend production at its UK facility from March 23 - along with its civil aerospace operations - for two weeks.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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DAIMLER: On March 17 the German automaker, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, said it will stop all production in Europe for at least two weeks to curtail the outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus that has killed thousands and sickened many thousands more. The parent company of the Mercedes-Benz brand said the suspension applies to its car, van and commercial vehicle plants.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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PSA GROUPE: It oversees the Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands and it announced on March 16 that all of its plants spread across France, Spain, the UK, Poland, Germany and other locations will shut down.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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FORD: It closed all European and North American production on March 19 in a bid to help combat the spread of COVID-19. It intended to reopen facilities and restart production on March 30 but has since decided to wait until April 14 before it opens a select number of facilities.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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LAMBORGHINI: The Italian carmaker said on March 13 that it will halt operations at its Sant'Agata Bolognese plant and it has not mentioned when production will restart.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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RENAULT: On March 16, the French carmaker said it would suspend production until further notice at 12 of its sites across the country but yesterday (March 30) it said it was resuming production at two factories in China and South Korea.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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FERRARI: The Italian supercar maker said on March 16 that both of its plants in Maranello and Modena, Italy, will shut until March 27. Ferrari has since postponed its production resumption until April 14.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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PORSCHE: It said on March 18 that it would stop production at its plant in Zuffenhausen and a production facility in Leipzig for at least two weeks.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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NISSAN: On March 18 the Japanese automaker said it would suspend all production in the US from March 20 until April 6.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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HONDA: The Japanese automaker announced a major production stoppage at its North American factories on March 18. The production suspension was originally planned for one week but on March 26 Honda pushed the suspension by another week. Now, it expects to resume production on April 7.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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TOYOTA: It suspended all North American production operations on March 23. Every plant in the US, Canada and Mexico is closed until April 20 during which time all facilities will undergo a thorough cleaning process.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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SUBARU: Its sole US production plant in Lafayette, Indiana, has been suspended since March 23 and the company plans to restart operations on April 6.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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BENTLEY: The British luxury brand suspended operations in Crewe on March 20. The factory shutdown is set to last four weeks.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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TESLA: The electric carmaker announced it would be closing its signature plant in Fremont, California, starting March 23 and its New York Gigafactory. CEO Elon Musk says ventilator production would be starting at the latter asap.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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JAGUAR-LAND ROVER: On March 20, it confirmed it will temporarily shut down production at its UK facilities until April 20. But plants in Brazil and India are continuing operations.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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BUGATTI: France's supercar maker closed its production plant in Molsheim on March 20 to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It hasn’t mentioned when it could potentially resume business.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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RIVIAN: The startup electric carmaker said on March 20 it will suspend all operations at various locations in the US including its headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan, a factory in Normal, Illinois, as well as operations in San Jose and Irvine, California. It employs more than 2,000 workers who, the company says, will receive their full pay, but it does not know when it expects to be back.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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VOLVO: The Swedish luxury carmaker suspended production at its European plant on March 20 and said it will remain closed until April 5. Its US plant stopped on March 26 with plans to restart on April 14. But the good news is that all four of its Chinese plants are up and running again. It also said customers traffic at its showrooms had returned to normal.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES: On March 18 it announced it would suspend all operations at its North American and European plants to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The plan is to remain closed until April 14.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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ASTON MARTIN: The British luxury carmaker suspended operations at its Gaydon and St Athan facilities in the UK on March 24 and plans to reopen them on April 20.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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MAZDA: It halted production at its Japan plants on March 24 with plans to reopen two weeks later but with staff then only doing daytime shifts until April 30. Its only plant in Mexico closed on March 24 (for 10 days) as did its plant in Thailand for the same period.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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GENERAL MOTORS: On March 19 GM announced a total suspension of all North American production saying that production restart would be evaluated on a week-by-week basis. GM is now building ventilators and masks at two US facilities.Image Credit: Shutterstock

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KIA: It suspended production at its manufacturing plant in Georgia on March 24 for it to undergo cleaning and sanitation measures and said it planned to restart production on April 13.Image Credit: Shuttersto 

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After nearly a decade as Bentley’s flagship model, the Mulsanne’s production run is coming to an end, with the mantle now to be carried by new Flying Spur. Even as the factory is shut down due to the ongoing global pandemic, Bentley is celebrating the master craftspeople behind the outgoing flagship.Image Credit: Supplied

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The Mulsanne is handcrafted from the ground up in Crewe, where it was also designed, engineered and developed - from initial hand sketches through to final production sign-off. Over 7,300 examples have passed through the hands of these craftspeople, each car requiring over 400 hours to create.Image Credit: Supplied

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Below are eight of the craftspeople who represent the hundreds of people that took Mulsanne from the drawing board to reality and those that will continue to handcraft the Final Series when Bentley resumes production.Image Credit: Supplied

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Crispin Marshfield – Design: As a member of Bentley’s Exterior Design team, Crispin was responsible for the distinctive Mulsanne shape. Crispin now continues to work on the Design Production of Bentley’s future models, seeing designs through from free-hand sketch to superformed metal.Image Credit: Supplied

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Peter Guest – Engineering: Peter Guest was the Head of Body & Trim for the Mulsanne project, and was responsible for the engineering of the entire body structure and all of the cabin. Since completing the Mulsanne, Peter became the Product Line Director for the Bentayga – taking that project from initial conception through to delivery, before moving across to do the same role for the Continental GT and more recently the Flying Spur.Image Credit: Supplied

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Ian Johnson – Body in White: Ian worked within Bentley’s Body in White department as one of the company’s many craftspeople, and was responsible for the hand-finishing of Mulsanne bodies of all variants. Ian will now move on to Bentley’s Manufacturing Bentayga Launch team.Image Credit: Supplied

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Rob Thompson – Paint Shop: Rob is one of Bentley’s longest standing employees, and will soon retire after over four decades of service. As a Series Planning Manager in Bentley’s Paint Shop, Rob guides a team of over 40. “This is my 40th year at Bentley, and to have been part of the Mulsanne story from start to finish is of great personal pride. I have taken responsibility for every Mulsanne body that has passed through our Paint Shop since 2009,” says Rob.Image Credit: Supplied

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John Fisher – Wood Shop: John is another of Bentley’s long-serving employees, working his way up through the Wood Shop, to now head the department. He is obviously an expert in the veneers and handcrafting techniques behind Bentley’s wood interior finishes. Beyond Mulsanne, John leads the way for Bentley’s Wood Shop, passing on his knowledge to Apprentices beginning careers of their own in the department.Image Credit: Supplied

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Tim Seipel – Engine: Tim has extensive experience of working on the Mulsanne’s iconic ‘L-Series’ 6.75-litre V8 engine – also used in the Bentley Arnage and Brooklands under his watch. Developing Cylinder Deactivation for the first product in Volkswagen Group, Tim helped pave the way for many innovations. He now manages Engine Calibration for all of Bentley’s V8 engines.Image Credit: Supplied

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Donna Morrey – Operations: Donna has witnessed key moments of the Mulsanne’s life cycle; its pre-production development, and she will also soon witness the assembly of the final example. Now managing the operations of the Mulsanne’s assembly processes, Donna is responsible for ensuring that all of Mulsanne’s handcrafted components are successfully drawn together as one cohesive part.Image Credit: Supplied

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Hans Holzgartner – Marketing: Hans joined Bentley in 2007 as a Marketing Product Manager for Mulsanne, and admits he hasn’t been able to stop looking at the Mulsanne since. As a voice of the customer, Hans ensured that as a whole business, Bentley designed, engineered and built a Mulsanne the way customers desired. Hans now leads key Marketing projects for new Flying Spur and future products.Image Credit: 

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Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Hyundai Motor America have announced expanding COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Centres to 11 children’s hospitals throughout the U.S.Image Credit: Supplied

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Hope On Wheels is a non-profit organisation committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, it provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing life-saving research and innovative treatments for the disease.Image Credit: Supplied

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The COVID-19 pandemic has created a particular threat to children with cancer, many of whom have compromised immune systems. The COVID-19 drive-thru testing centres provide a safe and efficient way for children who present risk factors to receive the care they need.Image Credit: Supplied

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Being one of the largest non-profit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has released a grant of $2.2 million to 11 COVID-19 drive-thru testing centres.Image Credit: Supplied

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“The Hyundai COVID-19 Drive-thru testing grants are designed to get urgent financial support to institutions on the front-line in the fight against the coronavirus” says José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America.Image Credit: Supplied

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“Children who are diagnosed with cancer are particularly at higher risk. That’s why it was important to us to join forces with several children’s hospitals around the nation to company this threat to the health and well-being of children. We are pleased to expand to 11 institutions nationwide, each with a $200,000 grant,” José Muñoz adds.Image Credit: Supplied

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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. Drive-thru testing is considered an effective way in which health professionals are able to more quickly and more safely get help to those in need.Image Credit: 

Toyota HiLux Black Bison is just itching for a fight with the Ford Ranger Raptor.

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Toyota is believed to be considering making an even more hardcore version of the Hilux (how would that even be possible - it is already one of the toughest models on the planet...) and that is because the Ford Ranger Raptor is getting a little lonely and needs a rival. Now, while we wait for this to happen, Japanese tuner Wald International has nipped in and kitted out the Toyota Hilux with a range of hardcore upgrades. It looks so tough that it might give the Ford nightmares...Image Credit: Wald International

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Toyota might have a tough time in matching the deranged work of the Japanese tuner...Image Credit: Wald International

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Wald's customized Hilux looks extremely menacing what with its wider fenders, new front bumper, and that huge bonnet scoop cover...Image Credit: Wald International

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You can have 20in Jarret 1PC wheels with the standard fenders but why would you when the options include massive pop-riveted wheel arches and 22in wheels wrapped in off-road rubber?Image Credit: Wald International

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Wald’s Hilux looks properly dark and menacing. The widebody kit alone adds an extra 55mm in width, while the additional LED lights (including those on the front roof spoiler), add more road presence...Image Credit: Wald International

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Some of the other notable features include a rear roof wing, custom front bumper, bug guard for the bonnet and a rear tailgate spoiler.Image Credit: Wald International

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But our favourite feature of this highly customised Hilux has to be the tri-pipe side exhaust system. That just looks wicked!Image Credit: Wald International

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The tuner does not mention if it has made any modifications to the motor so we assume the Black Bison Edition probably sticks with a 2.8-litre diesel producing just 174 horsepower. Hmm, suddenly this truck isn't as scary as it first appears to be...Image Credit: Wald 

Coronavirus: Ford partners 3M, GE and UAW to produce respirators

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Ford Motor Company is joining hands with 3M, GE Healthcare and UAW to use its manufacturing and engineering expertise to expand production of urgently needed medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting coronavirus.Image Credit: Supplied

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Ford and 3M will manufacture at scale Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs). The two companies are collaborating on the new design, leveraging parts from both companies to meet urgent demand for first responders and health care workers.Image Credit: Supplied

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Ford and GE Healthcare are working together to expand production of a simplified version of GE Healthcare’s existing ventilator design to support patients with respiratory failure or difficulty breathing.Image Credit: Supplied

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In addition, the Dearborn carmaker’s association with UAW will see the assembly of more than 100,000 critically needed plastic face shields per week at a Ford manufacturing site to help medical professionals, factory workers and store clerks.Image Credit: Supplied

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To expedite the manufacturing process, the Ford and 3M teams have been locating off-the-shelf parts like fans from the Ford F-150’s cooled seats for airflow, 3M HEPA air filters to filter airborne contaminants such as droplets that carry virus particles and portable tool battery packs to power these respirators for up to eight hours.Image Credit: Supplied

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Meanwhile, Ford’s U.S. design team also is quickly creating and starting to test transparent full-face shields for medical workers and first responders. The face shields fully block the face and eyes from accidental contact with liquids and when paired with N95 respirators can be a more effective way to limit potential exposure to coronavirus than N95 respirators alone.Image Credit: Supplied

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The first 1,000 face shields will be tested this week at Detroit Mercy, Henry Ford Health Systems and Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospitals. Roughly 75,000 of these shields are expected to be finished this week and more than 100,000 face shields per week will be produced at Ford subsidiary Troy Design and Manufacturing’s facilities in Plymouth, Michigan.Image Credit: 

Look! First lot of limited edition Morgan Plus 4 

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The Morgan Motor Company has built the first of its limited edition Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition models. The four cars, the first lot of just 20 examples to be built, were completed at Morgan’s factory in Malvern Link, UK, last week.Image Credit: Supplied

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The production of the Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition models follows the launch of the all-new Plus Four earlier in March 2020, which is underpinned by Morgan’s latest CX-Generation aluminium platform.Image Credit: Supplied

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Built to celebrate 70 years of Plus 4 production, each of the anniversary models will be individually numbered and built in a unique specification with several distinctive features.Image Credit: Supplied

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The introduction of the new model suggests that the Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition models will be the last to be built on Morgan’s traditional steel frame chassis, a version of which has been in production since the Morgan 4-4 was introduced in 1936.Image Credit: Supplied

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Just 20 Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition cars are to be built. They feature an individually numbered plaque, marking them out for years to come as some of the last steel-chassis Plus 4 models. A specially embroidered headrest will further differentiate the edition.Image Credit: Supplied

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The Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition is priced at £60,995 (Dh 276,100) in the UK, but deposits have already been taken on every one of the 20 cars