As a resilient Chennai bounces back to normalcy after the devastating rains, the worst in over a century, automakers are doing their bit to expedite the process. Several thousand cars were damaged due to the flooding which means a prompt and highly efficient service operation has to be carried out on a very large scale to get the city up and running at its full pace.
According to initial estimates, around 4,000 Maruti Suzuki cars have been affected in the region but the company says that the final figure could go beyond 6,000 units. The country’s largest automaker has already started mobilizing additional spare parts and service personnel from other parts of the country.
Before starting to accept vehicles for servicing, the automakers have to get the flooded service stations back to working condition first. Given the sheer number of immobilized vehicles, service would be prioritized on the basis of extent of the work involved (in ascending order).
Several service stations across the region have announced free/discounted repairs for flood-hit vehicles.Maruti is estimating an expenditure in the tune of INR 10 crores as it will bear 50% of depreciation charges incurred by the customers when they claim insurance. The company has also announced 50% discount in cleaning and polishing charges. Hyundai too vowed to get roughly 3,300 units of its flood-hit cars back on the road ASAP by putting its 19 workshops in the region to full use. It has delegated a task force to ensure things are executed smoothly and is offering a 30-point check point at camps.
Honda Cars India says that it has already fixed 200 of the estimated 1,200 affected cars. 300 more are currently being worked upon across authorized Honda service centres across the city. Other manufacturers are also busy fixing their cars on a discounted rate.
The two wheeler industry too is preparing for what would be a massive service campaign. In addition to the efforts form OEMs, several auto workshops across the city has announced free/discounted service camps for damaged vehicles.
Chennai Rains – Photos
Via – Business-standard.com
