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Toyota has reaffirmed support for frontliners in the efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 across the world are rising . The automaker also confirmed that it is rising to the challenges posed by COVID-19 as well as the government-imposed regional lockdown regulations. It however disclosed that it has put plans in place to prepare business operations when the situation returns to some semblance of normality.
According to Toyota, some of its ongoing interventions include monetary donations to the Red Cross Society of China, production of 3D-printed face shields (protective masks) in North America and Europe as well as providing shuttles for medical workers in parts of Asia.
In South Africa, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) confirmed the ongoing efforts and plans.
“At TSAM, we have implemented a Taxi Industry Support plan that comprises making 40 vehicles available to the taxi organisations post-lockdown, supplying bulk sanitiser and providing promotional material.
“Further details with regards to this initiative will be shared after the national lockdown has been lifted,” Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM, Leon Theron, said.
Theron added: “Our commitment to the taxi industry is multifold: by making these resources available to the sector, we’re hoping to have an impact in “flattening the curve”, ultimately keeping the national workforce healthy as well as doing the best we can to salvage the weakening economy.”
The interventions are in line with TMC President Akio Toyoda’s sentiment that Toyota needs to be ‘mindful of the feelings of those in the midst of this pandemic, reach conclusions more swiftly, make prompt decisions, and take immediate action faster than ever focusing on safety and security as the highest priorities.’
While engaging in efforts to help suppress the spread of the virus, TSAM said it also sees a need to be prepared for the recovery of economic activity following a return to normalcy.
By working towards and improving its own organisation while maintaining employment, the company said it will firmly advance its preparations with an eye on the future, pushing to contribute to the automotive sector and economic recovery as quickly as possible.
Internally, TSAM disclosed that it is continuously keeping its staff and dealers abreast of all the measures geared towards fighting the spread of COVID-19.
“We are an organisation that takes interest in the general welfare of staff and dealers – and without them, there is no business. We have therefore been engaging with everyone to keep the morale up in these uncertain times.
“We are also grateful to the 167 Toyota dealers across the country who are on standby to support the operation of essential services during lockdown,” Theron said.
TSAM said it has also set up a COVID-19 Incident Report Process that has been designed to assist affected employees navigate challenges associated with the virus.
On the advertising front, TSAM created an ingenious Stay Home TVC, which was assembled using existing footage and is currently running on digital platforms. Speedily created, it sympathetically conveys the importance of staying home and promotes #PrayForSouthAfrica during lockdown.
While telecommuting is currently encouraged as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Toyota is also reviewing how staff – office- and plant-based – will work post-lockdown.
“We are also studying what TMC, as well as other Toyota Group companies are doing to assist frontline workers in their regions – or proactively working to improve productivity in their plants – to see what can be adapted for the local market,” Theron confirmed.
