In view of the escalating COVID-19 Corona Virus situation which has reached to a global pandemic level, four major passenger car and two two-wheeler manufacturer have temporarily shut down production to ensure safety and well-being of their employees, collaborators and stakeholders.
All the manufacturers have been taking necessary precautions as per the healthcare and safety precautions that were recommended during operations such as following proper hygiene & sanitation, minimising contact between individuals, closing employee travel, regular temperature checks etc and now as a next step and an advisory issued by the Government of India, which requires closure of production with immediate effect until further notice.
India’s leading passenger car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Limited halts operations at its manufacturing facilities as well as office operations in Gurugram and Manesar, Haryana with immediate effect until further notification. The company has also shut down the Research & Development centre in Rohtak to conform with the Government’s policy to contain COVID-19.
Japanese car manufacturer, Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) has suspended all operations at their two manufacturing facilities in India, one at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh and another located in Tapukara, Rajasthan. All associates working in corporate offices from zonal and regional locations have been instructed to work from home except for those who require physical presence for critical activities. All Honda Dealerships have also been advised to implement obligatory health and safety protocols for prevention of the virus spread. HCIL intends to restart production on 1st of April 2020 subject to health and safety policies and market supply conditions.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India PVT LTD (HMSI) has also announced a shutdown of operations across all its manufacturing plants with immediate effect. HMSI has four 2wheeler manufacturing facilities in India located at Manesar (Haryana), Tapukara (Rajasthan), Kolar (Karnataka) and Ahemdabad (Gujarat). HMSI has also employed the ‘work from home’ policy to continue business and support its stakeholders with an exception for those who require a physical presence in critical operations.
Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) has also voluntarily decided to halt all production in its manufacturing plant in Bidadi, Karnataka. The decision came after the Government of Karnataka issued an advisory to for all labour-intensive industries to work at 50% strength on alternate days, but in view of the recent outbreak and development of the COVID-19 situation the company has halted all production with immediate effect keeping safety and wellbeing of their employees as top priority. TKM has also instructed its regional Strategic Business Unit in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Bangalore to employ the ‘Work From Home’ policy for all its employees.
Suzuki Motorcycle India PVT LTD (SMIPL) the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan have also suspended production from its only manufacturing facility in India located at Kherki Dhaula, Gurugram with immediate effect and until further notice. The decision came as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread and contain the COVID-19 and is in-line with the advisory issued by the local authorities.
South Korean car manufacturer, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has also shut down its manufacturing facility located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu until further notice, as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Corona Virus. HMIL has also decided to extend vehicle warranty/ extended warranty/ Free Service due to health emergency or dealership shutdown in affected regions. The brand will also provide 24×7 Roadside Assistance, in case of emergency.
We at Shifting-Gears.com strongly advice that individuals follow the advice of local health care and authorities, follow hygiene & sanitation practices, regularly & thoroughly wash hands with soap & water, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue, practice social distancing, regularly clean & disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as mobile phones, keyboards, doorknobs, switches, counter-tops, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc. to help contain and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In case if you feel sick, contact local health care authorities, monitor your symptoms, do not use public transport, do not use public toilet facilities, avoid contact with others, avoid contact with pets, wear face protection, do not visit public places, if possible use a separate bathroom and follow all instruction of your health care provider.