Toyota India outlines action plan to combat Coronavirus threat

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has announced that, in light of the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it has taken preventive measures to safeguard the health and safety of all stakeholders, including customers, employees and dealer partners. The manufacturer says it has been closely monitoring the evolving situation and responding appropriately in accordance with the guidance issued by the government.

Commenting on the measures taken by the company, Naveen Soni, senior vice president, sales and service, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Our first priority is the health and safety of all our stakeholders. As a committed corporate, we are taking all preventive measures to sustain normal business operations. We have created SOPs internally to maintain normalcy at workplace as well as for our partners ensuring hassle-free customer interface. We are actively responding to the changing market conditions and taking countermeasures wherever required to deal with contingencies that may arise in the future.”

As part of the steps taken to offer convenience to customers, the company says it is developing a 360-degree vehicle display on its website, helping them take a virtual tour of each vehicle and get a better understanding to make an informed purchase decision. In terms of other updates, the company says that via its website customers check prices for its models; get the e-brochure for all product information; accessorise vehicles online; book service appointment (T-Connect); avail test drives and get vehicle delivery at their residence, and lastly arrange for service pick up and drop.

In addition, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is continuously monitoring its business operations in the country and taking preventive measures to grasp any challenges that may come forth. What's more, dealer partners are also being encouraged to take adequate precautions and sanitise all the customer touch points at the dealerships. This, the company says will help in effectively countering the virus threat, build customer confidence when visiting the dealerships and, simultaneously, take care of the employees. Further, virtual tools are being utilised as a key platform to share information, and provide services to the customers at their convenience.

TKM has suspended fingerprint biometric attendance system as a preventive measure in order to maintain good hygiene and build an uncontaminated environment at workplace. Employees are also being encouraged to maintain social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, practice respiratory hygiene, wash hands more often and stay at home if they see any COVID-19 symptoms. The company has also released strict advisory to minimise domestic travel, as well as restrict international travel to severely affected regions.