India's largest automobile manufacturer by volume Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) entered into an arrangement on Saturday with AgVa Healthcare, to scale up the production of ventilators.

At the request of the Indian government, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) examined its ability to assist in the production of ventilators, masks and other protective equipment and mobilised production of ventilators, masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to support India’s preparation against Covid-19, the company said in a statement.

AgVa Healthcare is an existing approved manufacturer of ventilators. Under the arrangement, the company intends to reach a volume of 10,000 units per month.

“AgVa Healthcare would be responsible for the technology, performance and related matters for all the ventilators produced and sold by them”, the company said in a statement.

MSIL would use its suppliers to produce the required volume of components and use its experience and knowledge to upgrade systems for the production and quality control of the higher volumes.

MSIL would also help to arrange financing and obtain all permissions and approvals required to enable the higher production and these services are free of cost to AgVa Healthcare.

In another development, Krishna Maruti Ltd, a joint venture of MSIL with Ashok Kapur, would be manufacturing three-ply masks for supply to the Haryana and Central governments.

“The production is expected to start as soon as all approvals are received. Mr Ashok Kapur will provide two million masks free of cost as his own contribution,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Bharat Seats Ltd, a joint venture of MSIL with the Relan family, would be manufacturing protective clothing “as soon as all approvals are in place”.

“All manufacturing units would take maximum care to protect the safety and health of the workers in accordance with the government recommended practices,” the statement said.

THE STATESMAN (INDIA)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK