Coronavirus Update: Cars To Be Sold Online, Auto Industry Calls For Resumption Of Manufacturing

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow in India, the Prime Minister has extended the nationwide lockdown until May 3. The latest statistics show that India has recorded more than 10,000 COVID-19 infections and 339 deaths to date. More than 1,000 people have recovered. Here’s how the coronavirus has impacted the auto industry since our last update: 

Online Car Sales: 

Car dealerships and workshops are closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stimulate the economy by buying a new car. For the few whose salaries have been unaffected by the lockdown, carmakers such as Hyundai, Tata and MG have created online contactless car sales platforms. For the full story, go here.

2020 Beijing Motor Show Postponed: 

After being the epicentre of the COVID-19 coronavirus, China has begun to show signs of recovery. Even though it has opened its wet markets, the 2020 Beijing Motor Show has been postponed until September 26. Meanwhile, there are still three more days left to enjoy a virtual tour of the Geneva Motor Show. 

Volkswagen Contributes To PM CARES Fund: 

VW India has pledged to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (CARES) fund which was started to provide coronavirus relief in India. It has announced free car care services, new car buying benefits, and extended service support for cars bought by medical personnel. The carmaker is also training its workforce virtually in sanitation practices to be followed after the lockdown is lifted. For dealers affected by the lockdown, VW will provide financial and infrastructure support to help them tide over the current situation. Hyundai Motor India Foundation, the carmaker's corporate social responsibility arm, has donated Rs 5 crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Relief Fund. 

Toyota India Donates To Karnataka For Coronavirus Relief: 

Toyota Kirloskar Motor donated Rs 2 crore to the multiple government agencies in Karnataka to aid the state's efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic. The company handed Rs 1.35 crore to the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority. Toyota employees contributed Rs 64 lakh to the Karnataka Chief Minister's Relief Fund for COVID-19. The carmaker has also donated Rs 55 lakh to the state government. Apart from the monetary contribution, Toyota has provided 3,000 hazmat suits to volunteer health workers, 1000 essential kits to daily wage workers, and 14 buses to the state's health department. The carmaker is helping its supplier Stump Schuele & Somappa Springs to ramp up the production of face shields from 275 units per day to 10,000 units daily.  

Auto Industry Calls For Slow Resumption Of Operations: 

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has proposed single-shift manufacturing in some industries with proper social distancing and hygiene measures in place. In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the secretary has called for some manufacturing to be resumed at a maximum of 20 to 25 per cent capacity. The industries expected to resume operations are automobiles, heavy electronics, defence, textiles, steel and ferrous alloys, and electronics, among others. 

Carmakers Run Out Of Stocks: 

Audi has run out of A3 sedans and Q3 SUVs to sell in India, which is why the carmaker now has just four cars listed on its website. The A6, A8L, and Q8 are currently the only models on sale. Another carmaker which had to postpone plans is Honda, which had previously exhausted its BS4 stock. The carmaker is expected to introduce the 2020 Honda City and the BS6 Honda Jazz in India post-lockdown. 

Motorsport Update:

Formula E was all set to introduce the new Gen2 Evo body kit this year. With uncertainty surrounding race schedules, the new body kit has been postponed until next year. Its FIA status as a world championship should come through this year as planned. Meanwhile, the French Grand Prix scheduled for June 26 could be postponed by the country’s government.

The COVID-19 coronavirus has infected over 19 lakh people worldwide and caused over 1.2 lakh deaths. It is a highly contagious virus which can cause severe respiratory illness in humans. The best way to protect yourself and curb the spread of the disease is to maintain social distance. Wash your hands often, sanitise surfaces around your house, and watch this space to keep up with the latest in automotive news.