Auto giants in Guangdong to ramp up mask production

Automobile manufacturers in Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse in South China, are gearing up to soon put into production of masks, in efforts to meet the growing demand of the medical resources in fighting against the novel coronavirus.

GAC Group, a leading automobile manufacturers based in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, is training workers related to the mask production lines after inspection in some manufacturing equipment in Dongguan, according to sources with the company.

The masks will be produced in GAC's auto parts manufacturing base, according to the company.

"We will try our best to put into production of masks as soon as possible. The production of mask will not affect our business of auto parts manufacturing," said Zeng Qinghong, chairman of GAC Group.

Another automobile maker, BYD Company Limited, based in Shenzhen, is also working on initial preparation for production of masks and disinfectants.

Sources with the company said the production of masks and disinfectants is expected to begin within a week, with daily output capacity of masks reaching five million and 50,000 bottles of disinfectant daily.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said automobile manufacturers are very capable of producing medical resources.

"Car makers have strong capabilities in comprehensive manufacturing, with advantages in purchasing materials, production lines and output of technologies," said Cui.