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Following on from our first article, other automakers also joined in the fight against Covid-19 this past week.
Hyundai South Africa has taken up the responsibility to help feed the country. The automaker is realising its goals through Gift of the Givers and FoodForward SA – two non-governmental organisations.
The automaker availed eight vehicles - five H100 trucks, two Grandi10 Cargo panel vans, and one H-1 bus - that will be used to transport food to the communities that need it most. Hyundai says that communities where families have no income and severe food shortages due to the pandemic are targeted.
Niall Lynch, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, says: "As an automotive company, it made sense for us to donate vehicles for the transport of food and staff. These two organisations bring urgent relief to fellow South Africans who are experiencing hunger and hardship due to circumstances that are completely out of their control.
"This initiative forms part of the Hyundai Motor Company's global drive to improve the lives of people who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. These efforts include, among others, the provision of vehicles to frontline personnel to improve their mobility when they need it the most."
Hyundai vehicles. Image: QuickPic
Donating beds
Volkswagen South Africa handed over 150 bed bases to the Eastern Cape government.
These bed bases, given to government medical support at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, will be used to curb the spread of the coronavirus as patients will be looking to recuperate in this safe environment.
READ: How awesome is this! Automakers in SA go above and beyond in the fight against Covid-19
The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality recently announced that the stadium would be used to isolate low-acuity patients who have been infected with Covid-19, to prevent them from spreading the virus further.
Thomas Schaefer, Volkswagen Group South Africa chairman and managing director, said: "VWSA remains committed to supporting the Business Chamber and local government in their efforts to contain Covid-19 and save lives. As this pandemic is a threat to all communities, we cannot falter or fail to act. It is my hope that this donation will enable the Department and its brave healthcare workers to save many more lives."
Image: QuickPic
Keeping taxi's sanitised
Toyota South Africa is doing its part in keeping the taxi industry sanitised. The automaker announced that it would be spending more than R10-million to assist the local taxi industry in fighting Covid-19. The assistance comes in the form of more than 65 000 litres of sanitisers, 2 000 face masks, as well as Covid-19-related marketing initiatives.
According to TSAM's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Leon Theron: "Toyota had already committed to these taxi support initiatives when the government introduced national lockdown regulations in March. We are pleased to have been able to flight, distribute and publish some of the marketing and educational material at the beginning of the lockdown when most South Africans were still coming to grips with what the coronavirus is."
Toyota Quantum. Image: MotorPress
Kia lends a hand
As part of its efforts to support those in need, Kia donated three of its K2700 trucks and three Picantos to support services. The trucks' purpose will be to assist in the delivery of food to vulnerable communities during the Covid-19 lockdown. At the same time, the Picantos will serve as a mode of transport for welfare workers who need to reach these communities.
Kia says that all K2700s will be equipped with lockable canopies that were sponsored by Beekman Canopies.
Gary Scott, CEO, KIA Motors South Africa, comments: "When the need is overwhelming and urgent, the best way to approach the problem is through a well-coordinated plan and a network of committed people. It is through coordination, commitment and passion that SANZAF (the South African National Zakah Fund) has achieved this, month after month, for the past 45 years. We are honoured to donate vehicles that will make this task easier."
Kia K2700. Image: MotorPress
Compiled by: Charlen Raymond
