COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Indian auto industry puts best foot forward

In spite of the fact that the Indian auto industry will be incurring a loss of approximately Rs 50,000 crore in turnover for the 21-day plant shutdown as a result of the countrywide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus or covid-19 virus, it has come forward to help those in need with cash and kind.

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HERO GROUP PLEDGES RS 100 CRORE: The Hero Group has pledged Rs 100 Crore as aid for the ongoing covid-19 relief-efforts in India. Half of this sum, Rs 50 Crore, will be contributed to the PM-Cares Fund and the remaining Rs 50 crore will be spent in other relief efforts. The Hero Group (BML Munjal family) companies contributing to this fund include Hero MotoCorp, Hero FinCorp, Hero Future Energies, Rockman Industries and Hero Electronix. Hero Enterprise and AG Industries have also contributed to this fund.

The BML MUNJAL UNIVERSITY at  Dharuhera in Haryana has offered its 2000-bed hostel for use as an isolation & treatment ward by the local health department. HERO FUTURE ENERGIES, one of the country’s leading companies in the wind and solar energy sector, is distributing food items and hygiene kits to people spread across 150 villages around its project sites. HERO FINCORP will offer a special subsidised product to the customers impacted byCOVID-19 in order to help small businesses with working capital & retail customers with their daily needs. Motorcycle major HERO MOTOCORP is distributing distribute masks, sanitisers, gloves and 100 ventilators to hospitals and health departments for necessary use. The company has also offered to donate more than 60 motorcycles to the health departments in the rural areas in various states. The motorcycles - having undergone the necessary modifications – can be used as mobile ambulance. The Pawan Munjal controlled company is also is distributing more than 10,000 meals to daily wage workers, stranded laborers and homeless families in several areas of Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. These meals are being prepared in safe and hygienic conditions by the kitchen staff at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Gurgaon and Dharuhera in Haryana; Neemrana in Rajasthan; Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Halol in Gujarat and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and the Company’s R&D facility – the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. These meals are being distributed under the direct supervision of the local police departments and government authorities.

Hero MotoCorp is also providing food packets at shelter homes, especially for the most vulnerable in society – children, the elderly and those struggling with illness. These meals are being distributed with the help of NGOs - ‘AkshayPatra’ in Jaipur and ‘Wishes and Blessing’ in Delhi.

Recognising that the immediate needs of communities, Hero MotoCorp distributed 2,500 ration kits for the families in Delhi, Maharashtra and Kerala.

HERO CYCLES ALLOCATES RS. 100 CR CONTINGENCY FUND: Hero Cycles announced that it is setting aside Rs 100 crore as contingency fund to address and mitigate its impact on partners and the community at large. The contingency fund will be put to use as and when required to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 situation on employees, suppliers, customers and communities across India. The organisation has also reached out to the governments in states where it has major facilities (Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) to extend any help required by authorities in addressing the crisis. Hero Motor Company’s international subsidiaries are undertaking a similar exercise in the UK & Germany where they have significant presence.

The company has also set up an Emergency Monitoring Cell headed by Chairman Pankaj M Munjal to closely monitor the economic repercussions of the pandemic and its impact on the organizational supply chains. The Emergency Monitoring Cell is overseeing the planning of supply chain resumption as and when the situation normalizes, medical support for employees and their families, and support for communities around key manufacturing facilities.

The HMC Group comprises of Hero Cycles, Auto parts manufacturing companies - Hero Motors, ZF Hero Chassis Systems Pvt. Ltd, and Munjal Kiriu Industries Pvt. Ltd, hospitality arm Munjal Hospitality and luxury home décor products company Oma Living.

TVS MOTOR COMPANY AND SUNDARAM-CLAYTON LTD: TVS Motor Company and die-caster Sundaram-Clayton Ltd.(SCL) will be spending Rs 30 crore to support the nationwide efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. The funding will come through Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), the social arm of TVS Motor Company and Sundaram-Clayton Ltd. and will include measures ranging from manufacturing and supplying supportive equipment such as masks, to providing cooked meals to those in the frontline - from healthcare workers to police officers.

The first phase of the program is underway and SST has supplied 10 tractors fitted with disinfectant spray along with about 30 personnel to the Hosur Municipal Corporation in Tamil Nadu, and municipalities in Krishnagiri and Mysuru. The streets and villages in and around these towns are being sprayed with disinfectant as an ongoing process.SST will also manufacture and distribute 1 million face masks to those delivering essential services from healthcare to food supplies.

TVS Motor Company and SCL are using canteen kitchens in Hosur, Padi (Chennai) and Mysuru to make cooked food which is being distributed to police, healthcare workers and essential services workers in and around Hosur, Chennai and Mysuru. In Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, the company is distributing daily, dry ration kits to daily wage workers who have been displaced, and also to villagers who need food supplies.

In addition, they are evaluating collaborations with 3D printing companies to make ventilators that will help support hospitals which lack the necessary life support systems to cope with patient care for covid-19 victims.

TVS MOTOR COMPANY AND GROUP COMPANIES PLEDGE RS. 25 CRORE: TVS Motor Company and its Group Companies TVS Credit Services Ltd., Sundaram-Clayton Ltd., and others announced their commitment to donate Rs. 25 crore to the PM’s Relief Fund (PM-CARES) to aid the battle against Covid-19. It is in addition to the ongoing activities being already undertaken through Srinivasan Services Trust, the CSR arm of the group.

DR. ABHAY FIRODIA GROUP EARMARKS RS 25 CRORE: Dr. Abhay Firodia Group led by Jayahind Industries and its subsidiaries like Force Motors, Jaya Hind Montupet has earmarked Rs. 25 Crore to support Covid-19 relief activities. The deployment will be aimed at supporting upgradation of health care infrastructure, enhancing blood collection capability, and facilitating mobile clinic/testing capabilities. The Group will be working closely with bodies like Maratha Chamber Foundation, eminent private hospitals, and Select NGOs, to maximize the effectiveness.

HONDA INDIA FOUNDATION PLEDGES SUPPORT: Honda India Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of all Honda group companies in India, pledged Rs.11 crore aid for relief and prevention efforts towards the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation in India. As part of this aid, Honda will immediately supply 2,000 units of Honda engine powered High Pressure Backpack Sprayers to the various Government agencies. These light-weight powerful sprayers will be used for disinfectant fumigation at hospitals, public transport, railway stations, public canteens and other common areas. This unique initiative is taken by Honda in consultation with Government; and is part of the collaborative efforts from the auto industry to support India’s preparation against Covid-19. Disinfecting public spaces is an extremely critical part of preventing & controlling the spread of virus along with other aspects such as regular hand-washing etc.

Additionally, Honda will support local administration efforts in all its manufacturing locations. Honda will make available its ambulances stationed at all its plants for medical emergencies and support with food packets to take care the poor and underprivileged in these difficult times.

 AMARA RAJA GROUP DONATES RS 6 CRORE: The Amara Raja Group (makers of automotive batteries) has announced a donation of a sum of Rs 6 crore. Amara Raja informed that out of the Rs 6 crore, Rs 5 crore has been donated to the Andhra Pradesh CM relief fund and Rs 1 crore to Telangana CM relief fund towards supporting all the measures being undertaken by Government of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This contribution by the organisation will be including the one day salary contribution by employees of Amara Raja Group.

 Over and above contributions from the organisation, Jayadev Galla, Vice- Chairman of Amara Raja Group, in his capacity as the Member of Parliament, Guntur has announced a sum of Rs 2.5 crore from his MPLADS fund for prevention of Covid-19 in his parliamentary constituency.

 Further, Rajanna Trust, the CSR arm of Amara Raja Group informed that they will continue to support with medical essentials from an earmarked exclusive fund to take up initiatives towards supporting government hospitals in Chittoor district and Guntur district, fighting on the pandemic. The fund will be utilised primarily to focus on public health and essentials supplies towards Containment, Control and Prevention of spread of Covid – 19. The initiatives have already started with Rs 5 lakh worth masks, gloves and sanitisers being donated in the presence of Chittoor District Collector a few days ago.

MERCEDES-BENZ INDIA TO SET UP TEMPORARY HOSPITAL WITH 1500 BED ISOLATION WARDS: Mercedes-Benz India has decided to set up a temporary hospital with medical facilities and isolation wards for Covid-19 patients. The newly developed medical facility in Mhalunge-Ingale village, Chakan Khed, will have isolation wards with a capacity to take care of 1500 patients.

Mercedes-Benz India will assist the Zila Parishad with all the necessary infrastructure including the medical equipment required to create a temporary OPD, infrastructure for stay, stretchers, wheel chairs, PPE kits, sanitisers etc. which are essential in the smooth functioning of the hospital and isolation ward. The company has also directly supported the Grant Medical Foundation (Ruby Hall Clinic) by donating Ventilators.

This measure by the company will not only benefit the medical urgency of such challenging times but also benefit the community after closure of the temporary facility. Post easing of COVID-19 condition, the facility will close down and the medical equipment will be donated to the civil Hospital of Khed. Also, the assets from isolation wards will be given to the tribal youth hostels by Government authorities.

Mercedes-Benz India is also supporting 1600 families from Khed and Viman Nagar area. The company will provide them dry ration and cleaning kits. This initiative will be executed through Mercedes-Benz India’s existing partner NGOs, Shashwat Trust and Ashraya Initiatives for children. This initiative will secure requirements for food and hygiene for these families till the end of May.

MG MOTOR INDIA ANNOUNCES DONATION OF RS. 2 CRORE TOWARDS MEDICAL AID: MG Motor India announced a donation of Rs. 2 crore for the government hospitals and health institutions providing medical assistance in Gurugram and Halol (Vadodara), where the carmaker’s facilities are located – to ensure the health and well-being of the medical staff and underprivileged sections of society.

While Rs 1 crore contribution will come from the company directly, its employees have also pledged to donate another Rs 1 crore. The contribution includes gloves, masks, ventilators, medicines and beds etc. depending on the particular requirement of the specific government hospitals and health institutions providing medical assistance in Gurugram and Halol (Vadodra).

Also as part of its commitment towards the safety and well-being of the staff at its dealerships and workshops, the carmaker is felicitating and advising dealers to ensure enhanced insurance cover for their 5000 employees across the country.

GOMECHANIC OFFERS FREE SERVICE & MECHANIC ON CALL:GoMechanic, India’s largest network of technology-enabled car service centres announced the #OpenForHeroes initiative to support emergency and essential vehicles such as ambulances, police vehicles, etc across the top metro cities they operate in. As the entire country is on a lockdown, local authorities are realising that the society needs critical support of technical persons who provide essential maintenance to ensure smooth running of water, electricity, sewerage and repair & maintenance of essential vehicles. Gurgaon Police have directed their officers to allow free movement of such technicians & mechanics.

When someone (of an emergency or essential services vehicles only) books an order via GoMechanic (which is free of charge), the team will quickly send it to a functional workshop as per that city's policy. They will also ascertain the nature of the vehicle and do basic validation to ensure the benefit reaches the right and intended ones. All labour and service charges will be completely waived and only actuals charged as per consumption besides applicable taxes. If as per the state law, the centres cannot be open, then GoMechanic will find and send the nearest available mechanic to the spot for repairing. Their workshops & mechanics are following strict sanitisation methods. The number to call is 08398970970.

JK TYRE'S LEADERSHIP TEAM TAKES VOLUNTARY PAY-CUT: The Chairman and Whole time Directors of JK Tyre have taken a voluntary cut in their salary of 25% and other senior management personnel have also taken a voluntary reduction in their salary by 15- 20%.   Pay cut also applies to its global operations. The company has also taken extensive steps to ensure safety and welfare of its employees and their families.

OLECTRA GREENTECH PLEDGES RS  17 LAKH TO PM CARES FUND: Olectra Greentech, an electric mobility company, has pledged to contribute Rs 17,26,664 to PM CARES – Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations – a fund created to fight against the pandemic Covid-19. Out of the total corpus, all the employees of the organisation are contributing their one day’s salary totalling Rs 7,26,664 while Rs 10,00,000 has been added by the company for the purpose.  It is also to note that Olectra’s parent company MEIL has already contributed Rs 13 Crores to various State Governments.

STEELBIRD HELMETS: Steelbird Hi-Tech India Limited is helping provide relief to the labourers and the needy ones in and around Baddi where the manufacturing facility of Steelbird helmets is  situated.

The company has offered its ambulance service 24X7 free in Baddi and also a helpline number (9805999227) for the stranded people. Besides, they have also given free helmets to the Police staff who are on the duty round the clock to ensure people will get food etc. The company is also taking care of the starving labourers in this industrial area. In addition to its own 500 workers, the company will provide one time meal to almost 100 laborers who will be camped in a nearby school.  To ensure there is no food shortage to its workers who are at home in far flung areas company is door step delivering Food Kits containing 10kg Flour, 5kg Rice and 2kg  daal.

SKODA AUTO VOLKSWAGEN INDIA PLEDGES SUPPORT: Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has pledged financial aid of Rs 1 crore towards the setup of the dedicated COVID -19 facility by Pune based Sassoon General Hospital. The contribution is made towards essential medical consumables and critical care equipment for the medical team and patients fighting the COVID-19.

In addition, SAVWIPL will donate over 35,000 sanitisers to hospitals in Pune, Aurangabad and Mumbai and distribute over 50,000 food packets in the Aurangabad region. The company is also producing reusable face shields within the Chakan factory which will distributed amongst healthcare providers treating Covid-19 patients.

Face shields help protect the wearer's face from body fluids and can be worn in conjunction with masks while offering clarity for procedures. Designed to prevent fogging while being light weight to allow healthcare personnel to communicate freely talk at the same time be movement friendly. Approval has been obtained from Dr. Ajay Chandanwale, Dean of the Maharashtra State Government run Sassoon General Hospital. The Face masks produced by SAVWIPL has been certified by the team for Indoor and outdoor use, will be used in ICU while doing procedures and for Covid -19 OPD consultation. The transparent sheet that forms the shield, can be sanitized after 6-8 hours before reuse.

Parent company, Skoda Auto a.s. in collaboration with the Czech Technical University, Prague, has developed and producing reusable FFP3 respirators for hospitals using 3D printers. It is also helping charities, municipalities and volunteers distribute medicines and food by offering the use of its fleet of owned vehicles. The Volkswagen Group is organising medical materials including face masks, gloves, disinfectants, clinical thermometers, protective goggles and protective clothing – is to be made available to medical personnel providing emergency treatment and care.

OLA LAUNCHES ‘DRIVE THE DRIVER FUND’: Two days after the nation-wide lockdown which has left the country’s drivers without any daily income, Ola, one of the world’s largest ride-hailing platform, announced the launch of ‘Drive the Driver Fund’ under the aegis of its social welfare arm, Ola Foundation. Ola group and its employees will contribute Rs 20 crore, while Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, Ola will forgo 1 year’s salary, both of which shall go towards the fund.  

The fund aims to support auto-rickshaw, cab, kaali-peeli and taxi drivers, through contributions from the Ola group, investors and via a crowd funding platform for citizens and other institutions. The proceeds of the fund will help towards the welfare and upliftment of drivers and their families who have been affected by the restrictions due to the Covid- 19 pandemic.

The mobility industry has been brought to a grinding standstill during these stressed times, and the driver community has been finding it hard to pay for their family expenses without a source of income. Ola’s initiative aims to bring together multiple stakeholders in the ecosystem such as customers, investors and partner organisations to participate in supporting millions of drivers and their families. The

This initiative will focus on key areas such as emergency support and essential supplies, which are of utmost importance to drivers during these challenging times. Drivers and their families will also have access to free medical consultation. In due course, Ola Foundation will also take up initiatives to support drivers in areas such as aid for children's education amongst others.

TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR MOTOR EXTENDS SUPPORT: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will be providing personal protective equipment kits to the medical staff and public health workforce in the state of Karnataka. Further, the company will also distribute daily food rations and essential kits to daily wage workers through Government of Karnataka’s local district administration in Ramanagara near Bangalore. These initiatives are in continuation of TKM’s relentless efforts to counter the epidemic, making a key contribution to the Government’s fight against the epidemic.

The nation is facing an unprecedented public health emergency with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting several parts of the country. The doctors, paramedics and other hospital staff who are at the frontlines of the fight against Covid 19 are susceptible and require Personal Protective Equipment Kits to carry out their duties effectively. In this situation, in order to support the efforts of the Government, TKM is providing Personal Protective Equipment kits to Government Health Volunteers based on the requirement of the Government. The distribution of the Hazmat Suits will be executed in a phased manner wherein 1000 sets of the suits will be provided in Phase I followed by distribution of2000 sets in Phase II. The 21-day lockdown announced by the Government to contain the spread of the virus has also had an impact on the lives of the daily earners across the country. In such uncertain circumstances and juncture of social distress, the company will also provide 1000 essential kits and food supplies to the daily wage workers, benefitting over 5000 members in the community. Each kit consists of 20food items and essential.TKM is in constant touch with the Karnataka Government and will continue to evaluate, adequately supplement existing initiatives as also suitably enhance the scope of its support in the fight against Covid 19. Additionally, to support the cause ICARE [TKM’s employee volunteerism platform] volunteers provided 27 boxes of food kits that support around 30 families.