Agnelli family donates €10 million to Italy's civil protection authorities.

Ferrari is ready to turn its expertise in making racing car engines into assembling parts for hospital respirators and ventilators as Italy battles the raging Coronavirus pandemic.

The plans, reported by Italian newspaper of record Corriere della Sera, involve the Ferrari plant in Maranello being used to help Italy ramp up production of the assisted-breathing equipment so desperately needed by the country's hospitals.

The goal of the operation, which could begin in the coming days, is to help the Bologna-based Siare Engineering International double its production of respirators and ventilators, from 150 to 300 per week.

The move follows the donation of €10 million to Italy's civil protection authorities from the Agnelli family, owners of Ferrari, as reported by Italian news agency ANSA.

In recent days many of the major Made in Italy companies have come to the rescue of the country's hospitals - particularly in the north where they are overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients - by donating funds and equipment.

On 19 March Italy's death toll from the Coronavirus pandemic reached 3,405, a number which surpasses the 3,245 fatalities recorded in China.

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