"Ventilators, ventilators, ventilators." That is what New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was in most desperate need of to keep people alive that are battling respiratory illness COVID-19. The ventilator shortage across the country has raised alarm bells at the highest levels. To help address the massive and urgent need, U.S. automakers Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), GM (NYSE: GM) and Ford (NYSE: F) have offered their manufacturing expertise.

Medical equipment maker General Electric (NYSE: GE), a leading maker of ventilators, is said to be taking Tesla up on its offer, according to a source.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk today confirmed the company is working on ventilators, even though he said he thinks they probably won’t be needed. "Yes, we’re working on ventilators, even though I think they probably won’t be needed," Musk tweeted in response to a question about using Tesla engineers and facilities used for HEPA filters to work on ventilators.

In addition to potentially working with Tesla, GE is said to be working with associations, governments, and others to explore all options on how to address the unprecedented demand the entire industry faces for ventilators and other medical equipment, according to sources familiar with the matter.

While GE is exploring all options to increase supply, the company said it has increased its own manufacturing capacity and output of equipment – including CTs, ultrasound devices, mobile X-ray systems, patient monitors and ventilators to fight COVID-19.

"Our dedicated teams are working around the clock to ensure that our customers and partners on the front lines have the equipment and servicing needed to diagnose and treat patients with COVID-19," GE Healthcare President & CEO Kieran Murphy recently said.