The Audi A6L production line at the FAW-Volkswagen Changchun plant [Photo/Jilin Daily]

Chinese and foreign car companies are making great financial contributions to help combat the novel coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 2,800 in the country.

By the end of February, more than 70 carmakers, auto suppliers and associations had donated more than 900 million yuan ($128.46 million) as well as supplies, including face masks and even ambulances.

In addition to the donations, some companies, including GAC, BYD, SAIC-GM-Wuling and Changan, are producing face masks in their plants to provide supplies for epidemic prevention and control.

SAIC-GM-Wuling is aiming to complete 15 production lines by the end of February, which can produce 1.7 million masks every day.

Shi Jianhua, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said that the auto industry is a highly industrialized industry with a high level of automation and manufacturing capability. He said it is socially responsible to establish mask-production lines while the country is urgently in need.