Canadian supplier Linamar Corp. reported steep drops in first-quarter sales and net earnings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said Wednesday evening.

Parts suppliers are striving to become production-ready for their automaker customers to resume business — whenever that is.

The Canadian supplier said the coronavirus pandemic had an estimated US$1.1 billion impact on sales in the quarter as many of its plants experienced reduced or suspended operations.

The update of the supplier's Safe Work Playbook includes guidelines from its first edition and new content on employee communication and feedback.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, consumer confidence in electric and self-driving vehicles was waning. Candian consumer confidence in both is down in the latest J.D. Power survey.

Magna responded to 2008 by ensuring liquidity, heightening financial discipline and keeping track of what programs might be delayed.

The Canadian auto supplier said the COVID-19 outbreak will have the single largest impact on the first quarter, with an estimated US$14.5 million-to-US$21.7 million hit on operating earnings.

The partnership to co-develop fully autonomous vehicles was formed in March 2018 and included a $200-million investment from Magna in the ride-hailing network.

Magna International Inc. says it expects sales in 2020 to fall compared with 2019 due to a stronger U.S. dollar, the sale of its fluid pressure and controls business and lower expected light vehicle production in Europe.

BlackBerry CEO John Chen said that while fully autonomous passenger vehicles are at least 10 to 15 years out, he expects to see autonomous commercial vehicles and taxis soon.

The new platform being developed by BlackBerry and Renovo collects data on vehicle technologies, such as advanced driver assistance systems, with the goal of helping automakers continue to refine these features.

The strike that halted GM's production for 40 days could have a lingering effect on many suppliers in North America. It might also serve as a taste of things to come. Canadian supplier Magna International, for example, saw a US$500 million reduction in 2019 revenue.

Ford, GM and Linamar have taken a different path to advanced tech centres, investing in Ontario's technology corridor.

Magna, which reports in U.S. dollars, says it now expects total sales this year of between $38.7 billion and $39.8 billion, a reduction of $1.3 billion on the top end of the range. A strike by UAW workers at General Motors plants across the United States lasted 40 days, costing suppliers.