#VWellnessIndia program is based on a holistic platform with special emphasis to Volkswagen employees, dealer partners and customers
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect across the automobile sector in the country. Sales were down to zero in April 2020 and sales for this month do not hold much promise either. Production was on hold following the lockdown and dealerships downed shutters as well. Though the lockdown has been extended in parts, there have been some relaxations announced wherein production can commence while dealerships can be opened in orange and green zones.
However, the fear of the pandemic continues and buyers are staying away from company showrooms apprehensive of the consequences. To clear some of these anxieties, automakers have released various safety measures to be followed at all levels be it production, sales and service.
Earlier this month Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor India launched ‘Click to Drive’ and ‘Click to Buy’ respectively and now Volkswagen has also introduced the #VWellnessIndia program based on 3 pillars drawing emphasis to safety of its employees, dealers and customers. Below is a short video, explaining the Volkswagen India Wellness Program.
For this, the company has drawn up detailed documents showing ways to protect the health of its employees with particular attention to social distancing along with several other safety measures to be followed. Dealer partners have been given virtual training with regard to safety and sanitization for its premises and employees so as to instill confidence in the customer while online sales portals have also been set up so as to offer buyers with a contactless buying experience.
Thermal scanning of all employees will be conducted on a daily basis across each of the company’s 137 sales and 116 service centers. Each employee will have to maintain social distancing, wear masks and gloves at all time and use hand sanitizers regularly which have been placed at strategic locations.
Customers will be greeted and welcomed without any physical contact and all touchpoints will be thoroughly sanitized and will be branded with the Volkswagen’s ‘Safe & Sanitized’ logo depicting adherence of the hygiene practice. Test drives with pick up and drop services are also a part of this safety program
The Volkswagen initiative towards helping the Government of India in fighting the coronavirus pandemic also extends to the employees who have contributed one day’s salary. They have also been supported by labor unions in Pune and Aurangabad who have also contributed a day’s salary and helped to raise over Rs.1.2 crores.
This amount will be used to fund 15 ventilators, 15 monitors and 3,750 PPE kits for COVID-19 patients in Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad. VW India has also distributed 21 tonnes of dry ration to families in Khed and Bhosari in Maharashtra and medicines worth Rs.22.34 lakhs to the Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.