Ford ‘Pulling Out All The Stops’ for Ventilators Trump Demands

(Bloomberg) -- After being called out on Twitter by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ford Motor Co. said it’s “pulling out all the stops” to build ventilators and other devices needed to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Ford is already delivering tens of thousands of face shields to hospitals and police, Mark Truby, the automaker’s vice president of communications, said in a tweet. He wrote Ford also is “working flat-out” with General Electric Co. to produce ventilators and 3M Co. to boost production of air-purifying respirators in a partnership announced three days ago.

Ford issued the statement after Trump posted a series of tweets criticizing General Motors Co. and demanded in one that Ford “GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!!” The companies have been waiting on the administration to provide guidance on regulatory approvals, the scope of devices needed and where they should be distributed first.

GM and ventilator maker Ventec Life Systems Inc. have opted to go ahead with building ventilators without a federal contract and will sell to buyers regardless.

Related: GM Forges On Without U.S. Ventilator Contract After Trump Attack

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