U.S. auto companies say they're willing to help the Trump administration by producing medical equipment to help combat the growing coronavirus pandemic.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said General Motors CEO Mary Barra already offered to produce ventilators in the automaker's factories. The outbreak has caused GM to pause production of its vehicles in North America until at least March 30.
Ventilators, which help patients breathe, are being used by hospitals to treat some of the more severe coronavirus cases. It's unclear how many are available in the U.S. Axios reports about 62,000, while The New York Times says American hospitals have roughly 160,000 ventilators. Either way — officials say more are needed.
That's led President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act, a wartime power that uses the private sector to increase production of emergency goods.
Beyond GM, Ford and Tesla have also expressed a willingness to produce ventilators and other medical equipment.
Contains footage from CNN.
