Coronavirus Update: Carmakers Strive For Recovery

The COVID-19 coronavirus has adversely affected daily life, healthcare, and the economy in most countries of the world. However, after weeks and months of lockdown, governments are preparing guidelines and plans to reopen some industries and rekindle the economy. European carmakers have revealed their own plans to reopen while maintaining social distancing rules and new safety norms. Here’s a roundup of the latest news from the automotive world:

Indian Government Issues New Lockdown Orders

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a 15-page order defining the lockdown and granting new exemptions. From April 20, essential manufacturing in some sectors will be allowed to resume with state-governed operating, hygiene, and safety procedures in place. The industries allowed to operate include -- data and IT, e-commerce, cold storage and warehousing, industries in rural areas, all industries in special economic zones (SEZs), jute industry, oil, gas and coal, brick kilns, construction, and supply-chain-based production. Yes, carmakers can slowly restart manufacturing.

Toyota Makes Face Shields

In our last update, we had reported that Toyota is teaming up with its partner Stumpp Schuele & Somappa Springs to manufacture more than 10,000 face shields a day. The carmaker’s efforts have increased production from 275 units daily to 5500. In addition, the carmaker is readying its standard operating procedures to restart operations as advised by the centre and the state of Karnataka.

Hyundai Testing Kits

Hyundai has imported Rs 4 crore worth of testing equipment from South Korea which will be used to test over 25,000 people. As previously reported, the carmaker has donated Rs 5 crore to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minster’s Relief Fund. Hyundai is helping Air Liquide Medical Systems to scale up its production of respiratory and protective equipment which will be supplied to Tamil Nadu and other states. The carmaker is also distributing dry rations to those who have lost their daily wages in the lockdown. All Hyundai customers who are essential workers (doctors, policemen) will get free road-side assistance during the lockdown.

MG Cabin Sterilisation Tech

MG Motor India has partnered with Mediklinn, a Singapore-based company to equip its cars with a new cabin sterilisation technology. Mediklinn’s Cerafusion technology uses active oxygen to eliminate microbes and allergens from the cabin. MG will equip its cars’ air conditioning units with Cerafusion to sterilise airborne and surface bacteria, yeast, viruses, and moulds. This technology has the benefit of being natural and chemical-free.

Volvo Extends Warranties

Like other carmakers, Volvo has provided a comfortable margin to customers whose warranties have expired or will expire during the lockdown between March 22 and May 3. The carmaker has extended the last date of expiration to May 31.

International Update

Lamborghini is 3D printing medical visors, and Ferrari is 3D printing valves and fittings for respirator masks at Maranello. It has teamed up with Italian ventilator manufacturer Siare Engineering International Group to co-engineer a breathing simulator for ventilator testing. In the US, Mazda is giving out free oil changes to essential healthcare workers, even if they have non-Mazda cars. The carmaker has released paper models of its production cars and some of its iconic classics such as the Cosmo. You can download them here, print them on paper or card stock, and get working with a paper-knife and glue. Nissan has created a 23-page colouring book featuring the classic 240Z, 510 Bluebird SSS, and three Nissan Skylines. In other news, Volkswagen has withdrawn its 2020 targets. 

Motorsport Update

The seven UK-based F1 teams have supplied 20,000 ventilators to the UK National Health Service. In conjunction with the University College London Hospital, the Mercedes F1 team has produced 10,000 continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines. Germany has banned social gatherings until August 31, so the German Moto GP race has been postponed. ADAC will announce the new date after consulting government officials. All pre-booked tickets will be valid for the new date. As for Formula 1, keep an eye out for our motorsport roundup for the revised 2020 calendar.

Even though the industry is ready to begin its recovery, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The graph of new cases is steep as ever in India. The Indian automotive industry could inspire the long-term changes we will need to adopt in the society in order to restore function.