While major automakers such as GM and Ford have found ways to make ventilators and other safety equipment, Elon Musk continues his “Tweetment” of the ventilator crisis offering to make them then not setting a date. Today the Muskinator Tweeted, “We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or@Tesla know.” The Tweet received hundreds of responses from all over the world. One commenter summed it up this way “Do not pass them through the federal government then. Ship directly to states – especially those most/currently greatest need. MA is in desperate need – they kept getting outbid by the feds – disgusting!”
OPS Support
s the collision repair industry faces new workflow management challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, industry pioneer Overall Parts Solutions (OPS) supports the industry with forward thinking tools that facilitate essential repair business through this unprecedented time. These tools are delivered through the OPS Technology Platform, offering parts management solutions for both collision repair shops and parts suppliers from procurement to payables. At the heart of that platform is OPSTrax™, the industry’s premier parts procurement tool, a one-stop solution for all parts ordering and tracking.
OPSTrax gives the community of OPS professionals access to several innovative tools that provide touch-free procurement and logistics:
- DeliveryTrax™ automates the process of dispatching suppliers’ parts deliveries. Through OPSTrax, suppliers can access DeliveryTrax and remotely assign parts deliveries to specific drivers’ routes to create efficiency and time savings in the delivery process.
- TraxDrive™, the mobile companion to DeliveryTrax, allows drivers to document deliveries without direct customer contact. The app enables photo verification and delivery time stamp with geolocation (Touch-Free Delivery). It is available for iOS or Android devices.
- OPS Logistix (available in select markets) allows dealers to take advantage of experienced OPS drivers, who facilitate overnight deliveries between the dealer’s warehouse and their shop customers, with limited to no direct interaction.
Suppliers and shops can quickly implement OPSTrax by registering at OPSTrax.com. Simple online installation allows new customers to access the system’s powerful touch-free tools within a few hours without face-to-face delivery and training. Online support and chat are available 24/7.
JLR Deploys COVID-19 Help
Jaguar and Land Rover have deployed more than 160 vehicles globally to support emergency response organizations during the coronavirus crisis.
A total of 57 vehicles including 27 New Defenders have been issued to the British Red Cross to deliver medicine and food vulnerable people across the UK who now need additional support due to social distancing rules.
Jaguar and Land Rover teams in Spain, France, South Africa and Australia have loaned vehicles to their Red Cross societies and more markets are offering help to their local teams. This service is being provided with fleets of vehicles now available due to the postponement of launch events.
Jaguar Land Rover is working closely with the UK government and has offered its research and engineering expertise, as well as digital engineering and design, printing of 3D models and prototypes, machine learning, artificial intelligence and data science support.
Protective equipment is being donated to the NHS including wraparound safety glasses to the Royal Bolton Hospital, St James’s Hospital in Leeds and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The health and safety of our employees, customers and their families remains our priority. Jaguar and Land Rover will do everything we can to support people in need around the world. Our partnership with the Red Cross goes back 65 years and we will work hand in hand with them to do all we can during this global health emergency. We will also provide help to those closer to home in our local communities. We can all play a part in helping the vulnerable during this global pandemic.
Finbar McFall
Land Rover and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have worked together for over 65 years, helping communities prepare and respond to emergencies with disaster-preparedness projects around the world – vital at times like this.
Through its partnership with the British Red Cross, Land Rover has also helped fund emergency relief efforts through the Disaster Relief Alliance, which supports community resilience programmes in the UK and around the world, providing financial assistance immediately when disaster hits – including coronavirus. British Red Cross has already given £200,000 to support Asian countries severely affected by the pandemic.