FCA to Resume Plant Operations by April 14

In an attempt to aid in controlling the spread of the coronavirus in the United States, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced it will temporarily stop operations in its facilities in the United States and Canada until April 14.

According to its latest statement, FCA said it is looking to resume work in its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities by the second half of April. This, however, depends on various quarantine and other restrictions that may be issued at the state or local level.

FCA was quick to clarify that this does not apply to the company’s operations in Mexico, which will be relayed in a separate announcement. It also does not cover FCA’s Mopar Parts Distribution Centers. Work at the Mopar Parts Distribution Centers is deemed essential as they supply parts for commercial vehicles used by first responders.

FCA said The distribution centers are being manned by paid volunteers, FCA said.

The decision to resume operations after April 14 was made eight days after the company announced closures for all of its operations across North America, along with Ford and General Motors.

Since the three major automobiles companies formed a task force and decided to shut down operations, the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. has ballooned to more than 100,000.

While operations in its facilities are halted, FCA is providing assistance to the government by producing face masks for first responders. In another statement, the company said it is delegating the task to one of its plants to reach the goal of producing one million masks per month. All of the masks that will be produced will be donated to facilities across North America.

Ford and GM also announced similar plans by helping build ventilators that will be donated to various hospitals.