GM Pivots to Building Ventilators, and More Car News This Week

"How are you doing? As we move into the second month of the US' coronavirus crisis, it's the question that's peppered every email, text, and Slack message. Like most simple queries, the answer is often, "Well, it's complicated." Essential workers-like those who staff emergency rooms and grocery stores-feel fortunate to still have paychecks. But they must expose themselves to the possible infection, while Covid-19-related public transit service cuts make it harder for them to get to work."

"Many gig workers, like those working for Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart, are glad to not be sick. But many say companies they work for are not doing enough to protect them and society at large. The tinkerers at manufacturers like Ford and Virgin Orbit are excited to be part of the nationwide project to build more ventilators. But wouldn't it be nice if their businesses weren't also falling apart around them?"

"The drop in Ford's US sales during the first three months of 2020 compared with last year, according to numbers the automaker released last week. Just a third of Ford's 3,100 US dealerships are fully open during the nationwide Covid-19 crisis. All automakers are suffering: First-quarter sales were also way down at Toyota (9 percent), Fiat Chrysler (10 percent), General Motors (7 percent), Hyundai (11 percent), and Nissan (30 percent)."

As the US enters the second month of the coronavirus crisis, essential workers face exposure to infection despite retaining paychecks, and public transit cuts hinder commutes. Many gig workers appreciate remaining healthy but report insufficient protections from their platforms. Some manufacturers are repurposing operations to build ventilators while confronting collapsing business realities. Urban residents face ethical and access challenges about going outside where open space is limited or closed. Automotive sales plunged in the first quarter, with many dealerships partially closed and major brands reporting significant year-over-year declines.

Read at WIRED