As responsible corporate citizens, automobile industry stakeholders came out enthusiastically to help mitigate the pain caused by the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. While almost every company launched vaccination drives and set up medical facilities for its employees, many offered financial assistance to the families of the victims. Besides, there was generous outpouring of funds from major automobile and component manufacturers to the relief kitty of various state governments and the Centre.
Herewith we reproduce the list of initiatives undertaken by some of the automakers during these challenging times:
Maruti Suzuki starts a hospital in Gujarat
Maruti Suzuki India Limited, in partnership with Zydus Hospitals, announced the opening of a multi-speciality hospital at Sitapur in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. With a total capital expenditure of Rs 126 crore, the hospital is 100 per cent funded by the Maruti Suzuki Foundation. The hospital is also assisting in taking care of COVID-19 patients and strengthening the fight against the pandemic. The hospital is expected to serve over 3.75 lakh people residing at Sitapur and adjoining villages at affordable charges.
Hyundai provides medical equipment to Delhi Govt.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd., handed over the 40 high-flow nasal oxygen machines, 40 BiPaP machines and 10 ventilators to Mr. Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi. Under the Hyundai Cares 3.0 Initiative, Project: ‘Back to Life’ ensures the expedited procurement and delivery of highly critical oxygen products to help provide immediate relief across most affected states and cities in the country.
MG dealers provide health cover to staff
MG Motor India said that its dealerships are providing their employees with an additional health cover against the COVID-19 pandemic. The automaker said the staff serving customers will be provided adequate COVID support measures for their safety and wellbeing, by the dealers. The company also announced an initiative, called MG Heathline, to help its customers by providing a platform to them for free online medical consultation with doctors. Besides, MG successfully converted its Hector Plus into a COVID-19 mobile testing unit. The vehicle is being used as Dhanvantari Rath for COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and other mobile healthcare services in Gujarat.
Toyota vaccination drive for employees
Toyota Kirloskar Motor has announced a vaccination drive for all its employees, their families and onsite contract members. The programme covering 16,000 people commenced in June and will continue to run through September this year to cover all its members for both doses. Besides expediting onsite vaccination at workplace, the company has also tied up with leading hospitals to facilitate vaccination camps thereby accelerating inoculation at different locations providing easy access to all eligible members.
Volvo term insurance cover for dealerships
Volvo Car India has covered all personnel employed by its dealer network under a term insurance policy of up to Rs 10 lakh. The company will bear the premium cost and has undertaken the term insurance of all personnel employed at its 25 dealerships across the country. Earlier, the company had announced a ‘Contactless Program’ to safeguard its dealer employees from the spread of COVID-19 and to promote online sale.
Nissan contributes to TN Disaster Relief
Nissan India contributed Rs 2.2 crore to the Tamil Nadu State Disaster Relief Fund, Rs 25 lakh to the Tamil Nadu CM Relief Fund and over Rs 4.3 crore for COVID-19 relief equipment, masks and PPE kits etc. Over the last few months, Nissan distributed N-95 masks, PPE kits, oxygen concentrators, portable ECG machines, X-ray machines, pulse oximeters and nasal oxygen machines in Delhi NCR and Chennai.
Slew of initiatives from Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) announced a slew of initiatives to ensure the health, safety, and holistic wellbeing of its employees and the larger community. The company collaborated with C-CAMP (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms), the German Consulate, Bengaluru, Rhenus Logistics, and Nayonika Eyecare Charitable Trust to procure 110 oxygen concentrators for hospitals in Karnataka.
BMW pledges Rs 8 cr for COVID relief work
BMW Group India has pledged a total of Rs 8 crore towards the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional contribution of Rs 5 crore has been made on top of the company’s earlier commitment of Rs 3 crore. BMW’s efforts are dedicated towards augmenting healthcare infrastructure and medical services in Gurugram and Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu.
Bajaj to vaccinate all its employees
Bajaj Auto is carrying out a COVID-19 vaccination drive for all its employees and their family members above 18 years of age, across all its plant locations. The company started vaccination camps at its Akurdi, Chakan and Waluj plants, where all employees, contract workers and their family members are eligible for vaccination free of cost.
Vaccination centre at DICV facility in TN
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated a vaccination centre at Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) manufacturing plant in Oragadam. It marked the official start of COVID-19 vaccinations for Tamil Nadu automotive industry workers aged 18-44. While DICV has already inoculated almost all employees aged 45 and over, this facility will allow the vaccination drive to be further expanded to the local community, including those under 45.
Sonalika vaccinates its entire workforce
Sonalika Tractors announced a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive for 100 per cent of its workforce and in just two months, the company claimed to have achieved its mission. Under the fully-sponsored drive by the company, all Sonalika’s members have been vaccinated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, the company remained connected with farmers through throughout the month of May to address their queries – be it new tractors or service related.
JK’s comprehensive package, ‘JK CARES’
Delhi-based, industrial conglomerate JK Group announced an initiative, called ‘JK CARES’ (COVID Assistance, Relief & Support), which is a comprehensive relief package for the dependent family of deceased employee across the organisation. Under the initiative, the company will provide support to the affected families, in case of any casualty of the employee, due to COVID-19.
Boys and Machines inoculates full staff
Pre-owned luxury car dealers Boys and Machines announced that it has vaccinated all its employees with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The initiative, said the company, was aimed to safeguard the wellbeing of employees from the COVID-19 pandemic so that they can safely cater to clients, thus ensuring their safety as well.
