What World War II Can Teach Us About Battling Coronavirus-- Part 4: The Automotive Council for War Production

This year, however, by contrast, the United States dithered for weeks as the virus picked up steam in January and February and it now to late to prepare for it.  We have to now take it as it comes and try to catch up.

And, American companies and industries are rapidly ramping up and changing to making items that will be needed in this new war.  However, they are scattershot.  An organized federal government approach is badly needed.  It appears that the federal government is now taking steps to organize our defense.

In 1941 America's automakers and their suppliers formed the Automotive Council for War Production, which put 192 manufacturing plants to work for the war effort.  They created a shared list of every machine tool not being used to capacity to squeeze out just a little bit more.  They also pledged to make their facilities available to other companies that might need them.

In the five weeks after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government  let out contracts worth $3.5 billion ($6.1 billion today).  Manufacturers were motivated by national unity and profits; a federal ban on the production of civilian cars all but ensured the automaking industry would turn to munitions.

--GreGen