Coronavirus Impact: Auto Manufacturers Shutdown Production Facilities

• Published On: 23 March 2020
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Coronavirus epidemic has affected automobile companies like Honda two-wheelers, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai Motors etc. among others.

Coronavirus epidemic is sweeping the entire globe affecting human lives and economic livelihoods. The automobile Industry, in general, has been severely affected by the ongoing COVID 19 virus outbreak with several manufacturers temporarily closing down their production facilities. The leading automobile manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Honda 2Wheelers India have ceased operations at their manufacturing units. 

Hyundai Motor India Ltd initiated preventive counter-measure of suspending its manufacturing operations at the Chennai facility from Monday, 23rd March 2020 till further notice to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Hyundai will wait for information and clarifications from the state government before resuming Chennai plant operations. Hyundai customer service programs continue with  24*7 roadside assistance to customers in case of any emergency. The South Korean automaker in a sign of goodwill has extended vehicle warranty/extended warranty/free service for further 2 months in cities affected by dealership shutdown.

Maruti Suzuki has shut production and office operations at its facilities in Gurugram and Manesar, Haryana with immediate effect till further notice. Maruti has also closed down the R&D Centre at Rohtak. The company will wait for government policy update on Coronavirus before resuming any operations at the Haryana centres. Apart from closing down the Haryana centres, Suzuki has initiated sweeping measures to protect employees and customers from the COVID 19 virus. The automaker has taken steps like sanitation and hygiene, temperature checks, maximizing video-conferencing and minimizing contact, closing employee travel, health and distancing advisories to employees and following all government directions on the subject. 

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today announced precautionary measures to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. It has temporarily announced the shutdown of operations across all its four manufacturing plants with immediate effect till further notice. Honda will wait for government approval before resuming operations at its Indian plants. To maintain day-to-day operations and customer service, the company has introduced the ‘Work from Home’ policy for all its office-based associates except those whose physical presence is required to run essential services.

Toyota Kirloskar Motors too has joined the bandwagon by temporarily halting production at its plant in Bidadi, Karnataka until further govt. notice. Toyota introduced ‘Work From Home’ for all its employees in its Regional Strategic Business Units in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bangalore keeping in mind the safety & well-being of their employees.