As China resumes production and restores order, automakers here are gradually getting back in gear. 

At Beijing Chang’an Automobile’s (BCA) factory, which partially resumed operation about a week ago, the priority isn’t just about ramping up production, but also keeping the novel coronavirus at bay. 

Nan Jiang, director of the General Management Department at BCA told CGTN that the company is reopening production while taking steps to control the epidemic.

“We measure everyone’s temperature when he or she enters our factory. We provide masks to our workers and require them to wear it all the time. We also do a lot of disinfection everyday, such as the ground, meeting rooms, dormitories and toilets. We also prevent people from gathering. For instance we hold more online meetings instead of offline ones.”

But they’re not relying solely on these prevention measures.

Modern factories, such as Chang’an, have one key advantage which allows them to resume production in a safe and orderly manner.

That is: automation.

A production line in BCA’s factory in Beijing, February 24, 2020. Zou Yun/CGTN

Hu Meifeng, BCA’s deputy general manager, said that the high-degree automation works wonders, especially in ensuring enhanced productivity with a minimal gathering of people.

“Our factory is about 70 percent automated. And the automated systems guarantee the resumption of production, with a minimal use of labor, and in a shorter period of time,” Hu said.

So production is secured, but what about raw materials or parts?

One of the biggest challenges for automakers is maintaining their supply chains, since many parts suppliers in China have suspended production to contain the spread of the virus.

Another is sluggish sales, but insiders including Hu believe this is only a temporary blip, and the impact will gradually balance out.

“We are still confident because the fundamentals of the country’s economy and the demand for car consumption remains strong. So we believe there will be a rebound of sales when the epidemic is under control, that’s why we resumed production.”

Moreover, many other automakers such as BAIC Motor Co, GAC Group,Tesla, Ford Motor Co and Geely have fully or partially resumed production recently.