These SOPs are primarily for the safety of the customers and employees with hygiene and sanitization at all touch points

Maruti Suzuki MD Kenichi Ayuzawa has indicated several standard operating procedures (SOPs) of a new strategy to be followed post ease of lockdown. These SOPs come after a 45 day lockdown and are based on approvals from the State Governments indicating opening of dealerships and permissions to commence delivery of cars to customers.

The new safety norms offer a safe and hygienic car buying experience with strict adherence to safety, sanitization and social distancing to be followed at all company showrooms across the country. This will not only ensure safety of customers but will also put the safety of company employees above all else. These SOPs will not only be followed at these dealerships but also at the company’s manufacturing plants and at service workshops.

The SOPs for COVID-19 have been designed by a team of experts and will be followed at all 3,086 company showrooms across 1,964 cities and towns in India. It starts off right from the time the customer enters a showroom and extends right till delivery is effected.

Maruti Suzuki has also initiated the digital platform allowing customers to select their cars and accessories digitally both via Arena and NEXA showrooms. These websites, www.marutisuzuki.com and www.nexaexperience.com allow customers to view the entire product portfolio, personalize their vehicles and fill in all documentation required for the purchase of a vehicle.

Where test drives are concerned, dealerships have been instructed to completely sterilize each of the test vehicles. In accordance to social distancing, the customer will be able to take a test drive with the relationship manager sitting at the rear. Doorstep delivery is another convenience offered by Maruti Suzuki.

Delivery personnel will arrive at the customer’s home wearing masks and carrying sanitizers and all vehicles will be thoroughly disinfected prior to delivery. Only a limited number of customers will be permitted to enter showrooms and each showroom will have hand sanitizers at every touch point.

With the company paying prime importance to health and safety of employees, Maruti Suzuki has launched a wellness app in association with Aarogya Setu app to track employee’s health. Only employees who report good health for 14 consecutive days will be permitted to come to work.

Thermal scanners, sanitizers and use of facemasks will be mandatory for all employees while lunch timings will be in a phased manner. The company will also instruct each employee in terms of maintaining stringent hygiene with a list of instructions to be circulated and strict monitoring with regard to adherence to these measures. Maruti Suzuki has also stated that bus capacity will be reduced by 50 percent and strict social distancing will have to be followed while ascending and alighting from the buses.