Motoring Today Column

May 13, 2020

Epidemiologists are saying the Covid-19 virus will and is mutating. Already they have identified several strains of the virus that caused the 2020 pandemic-some more, others less virulent and harmful- and many expect to see more in the near future.

This makes one wonder if we have to also mutate to survive and overcome the pandemic. Mutate in the sense of changing how we socialize and do business, how we live and how we make a living.

The thing is, getting infected by the Covid-19 virus is like hitting the lotto. Almost all who are not careful about social or physical distancing, will hit what is known as the balik-taya-getting at least three of the winning six-number combination. They are the asymptomatics who won't know unless tested if they got infected and go round unknowingly spreading the infection.

Others get the consolation prizes, betting on four to five of the winning numbers. Many show light to moderate symptoms and overcome the sickness with minimal doctor's intervention or treatment. A good number need hospitalization and ICU care and finally the dreaded intubation.

The grand prize is, of course, death. A painful one. Not many get to win the grand prize, surely. But the so-called case of fatality rate of (CFR) in the Philippines ranged from a low of 5.4 percent on March 15 to as high as 8.57 percent on March 16 before plateauing around 6.5 percent by April 30 to May 9, according to the ourworldindata.org which sourced its data from the European CDC - Situation Update Worldwide.

This lotto game we certainly don't want to join and win.

So it is very important that we all comply with and diligently practice the protocols and guidelines recommended by health and government authorities, especially while we as a community and nation try get the economy - shut down and nearly paralized by the pandemic - back on track towards normalcy, whatever that normal may be.

It is heartening to note that many industries and institutions, businesses and trades from micro enterprises to multinational conglomerates are chartering paths to safely restart operations under Covid-19 pandemic conditions.

Many are adapting internal systems, processes and structures for management, production, services and customer interface to comply with anti-Covid-19 protocols. Some, like many auto companies, are switching to making products deemed vital and therefore in demand during the pandemic and its aftermath.

It is a challenge but all seem to be working at striking a balance between, first, protecting employees and patrons against the spread of infection and, second, maintaining production or service levels to allow the company to survive the pandemic. And, in the meanwhile, continuing to maintain customer loyalty.

Many such companies, include local auto assemblers and distributors whose actions during the pandemic can be instructive to many other sectors preparing to restart operations.

Toyota Transitions

Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP) and its dealership network announced the preparation of new SOPs or standard operating procedures and other precautionary measures meeting Department of Health and World Health Organization protocols to ensure the safety of customers and employees.

In a press statement, TMP said dealers will conduct temperature checks of customers and employees and perform regular disinfection of facilities, especially the common areas.

The layout of showrooms and reception areas at dealerships are redesigned to ensure social distancing, TMP said. The number of persons inside facilities will also be restricted.

Toyota vehicle owners are encouraged to book appointments to ensure accommodation at service centers at their convenience. This can now be easily done through the recently launched digital tool MyToyota PH that allows customers to find nearby dealerships, book appointments, and make inquiries about job items and service cost estimates using smartphones and other digital devices.

Said TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto: "While we are facing challenging times, this also presents an opportunity to come back better and stronger, to review our current processes and find improvements, to constantly provide ever better products and services, and to make our team members', customers', and partners' lives safer and more convenient."

Honda Under GCQ

Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) announced that Honda car dealerships in areas under General Community Quarantine are now open to serve its patrons.

In a press statement, Honda said that aside from disinfecting its dealership facilities, it will implement safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of valued customers and dealer associates.

Temperature checks of patrons will be undertaken while wearing of facemasks will be required. Hand sanitizers will be available at strategic locations.

Dealer associates will be required to wear prescribed PPEs or personal protection equipment.

It added that demarcation lines will be laid out at common areas of dealerships to ensure social distancing protocols are observed.

Customers who plan to have their vehicles undergo Periodic Maintenance Service or avail of other after-sales services should contact their respective dealerships and schedule an appointment, Honda said.

VW's New Normal

Volkswagen Philippines is also preparing its dealership network for resuming operations under what it calls "new normal" conditions.

A press statement said that Volkswagen Philippines president Felipe Estrella sent a message to dealerships urging them to take all steps to comply with the safety protocols, guidelines and regulations issued by the government's Inter-Agsency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Said Estrella : "It will be very vital that we collectively create an environment wherein our customers' safety, health and well-being are our utmost priority by the time we are allowed to operate and our customers are allowed to visit our dealerships once again. With this, we recommend certain guidelines, procedures and system in order to ensure our readiness and guarantee the safety of everyone."

Aside from temperature checks, wearing of facemasks and social distancing measures, VW said that use of credit cards and online payments will be highly encouraged.

It added that test drives will still be allowed with customers assured that test vehicles will be fully sanitized.

Customers are requested to book appointments for after sales services.

Service advisors and personnel are also required to wear personal protective gear and all tools to be used will be disinfected before and after use on vehicles being serviced.

9-Step Kia Prep

Kia Philippines said it has issued a 9-Step Guide to Facility Preparation to all its dealerships in anticipation of the resumption of operations.

It said the guidelines include a thorough checklist of what items and places should be cleaned, along with the type of cleaning agents and materials to be used. The guidelines cover procedures to be followed for handling of vehicles for display, test drive, or to be serviced as well as offices and customer and reception areas.

The 9-step guidelines also cover disinfecting areas and maintenance of regular sanitation practices, posting proper markings for physical distancing (about 2 meters), installing sanitizing and handwashing solutions at strategic locations, and ensuring that all areas are properly ventilated.

Also quite instructive are guidelines for preparing employees for their return to work.

The guidelines include, among other things, assigning a Dealer Health and Safety representative to check on employees' health, Covid-19 rapid tests of employees every two weeks, the provision of shuttle services or arrangement of car pools to avoid taking public transportation.

Kia added that it will implement flexible working hours, shifting or skeletal workforce and staggered break time schedules to keep the number of people in the office to a minimum.

Kia will also encourage interested buyers to set appointments for viewing and test drive of vehicles.

Suzuki Online Loans

Suzuki Philippines, Inc. is making it easier to secure loans to purchase vehicles even under social distancing protocols during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.

In a press statement, Suzuki announced that it has added a new Auto Loan feature on its official website.

The new Auto Loan link in its website is being undertaken in partnership with banks that include Bank of Commerce, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Chinabank Savings, East West Bank, Maybank, PS Bank, RCBC, Robinsons Bank, UCPB, and Yulon Finance.

The Auto Loan Feature directs customers to their preferred bank's website page dedicated for auto loans.

Suzuki said this new online service 'is an effort to provide ways to serve its customers by being reachable amid the current situation in the country brought upon by the Covid-19 pandemic.'

Happy Motoring!!!

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