Skoda Auto employees contribute a day’s salary for COVID-19 relief

Skoda Auto had already donated a sum of Rs 1 crore initially, and now the company’s employees have stepped in to contribute a day’s salary which amounts to a total of Rs 1.2 crore. This contribution has been done to fund hospitals that are helping in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in Mumbai, with full-fledged PPE kits and ventilators. The company has already distributed 21 tons of dry ration to the needy families in Khed and Bhosari villages around its production facility in Pune. It also donated essential medicines worth Rs 22.34 lakh to the Sasson General Hospital in Pune.

Skoda was already manufacturing reusable face shields at its production facilities in Chakan and Aurangabad, and distributed around 12,000 units of it to healthcare workers in Aurangabad, Beed, Latur and Pune areas. The company also stated that its engineers are closely working with global experts in manufacturing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, automatic AMBU bags, intubation boxes and oxygen masks to help the hospitals treating patients affected by COVID-19.

Skoda Auto pledged to provide financial aid to set up an isolation facility with 1100 beds at Sassoon General Hospital in Pune. The financial support from the company also covered the requirements of essential medical items and critical care equipment. Additionally, the company associated with various charities and NGOs to distribute 35,000 sanitizers and 50,000 food packets across the Aurangabad, Pune and Mumbai regions in the company-owned fleet of vehicles.

SAVWIPL through its own brands has been developing innovative ideas to adhere to the strict rules of social distancing, home-isolation and tips to protect vehicles during the lockdown. Volkswagen owned brands, Skoda and Audi, have also started offering extended warranties to ones that were expiring during the lockdown. The company also ran safety and sanitization drives through its dealerships for emergency vehicles and also extended support to emergency personnel.