Honda is stepping up its efforts to aid in the COVID-19 response in its homeland of Japan.
The carmaker has started deploying modified Odyssey units to be used for the transportation of infected persons to hospitals and quarantine facilities across the country. These Odyssey units have been rebuilt at Honda’s Saitama factory with an airtight divider that seals off the rear section of the vehicles from the front row to avoid contact between the driver and the passengers, thus preventing further spread of infection.
Honda has already delivered two vehicles to wards in Shibuya and Minato. It plans to provide more of these rebuilt minivans to areas in Japan that are severely affected by the pandemic. Honda also said that it will begin production of face shields by the end of May 2020.
As of this writing, there are already more than 8,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan, and the death toll has reached more than 100.
Honda is not the only carmaker pitching in during this fight against COVID-19. Manufacturers like Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Lamborghini have already started the production of personal protective equipment and other medical tools such as respirators and ventilators.
If you want to read more on those—and if you want to keep up to date on this ongoing crisis—check out our stories here.
