COVID-19 Archives - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

VWSA opens Covid-19 vaccination centre for its Kariega employees

vuyi on August 12, 2021

To empower its employees and the larger community in the fight against Covid-19, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has begun vaccinating its employees in Kariega against the virus.

The VWSA vaccination centre, which was set up at the VW PeoplePavilion near the plant in Kariega, began administering the Pfizer vaccines to VWSA employees on 2 August. In its first week, the centre vaccinated 426 employees, with plans to vaccinate 150 employees per day from this week onwards.

The process to establish this vaccination centre started a few months ago, with the centre being approved and accredited by the Department of Health as a workplace vaccination site. The centre is staffed with four professional nurses, some of whom are contract staff and some from the company’s Wellness Centre, as well as two administrators.

As one of the largest employers in the Eastern Cape, we take the responsibility of protecting our employees and the community against Covid-19 seriously
– Dr Robert Cisek, VWSA Chairman and Managing Director

At the current pace and envisaged planning, it would take the vaccination centre approximately 16 working days to vaccinate all willing employees who have not yet received both doses of the vaccine, after which the company plans to expand the vaccination programme to VWSA’s on-site service providers and then the loved-ones living in the same household as VWSA employees.

VWSA employee Siphiwo Alwyn receiving his first Covid-19 jab from Sister Zanele Mboniswa

The vaccination centre functions separately from the Covid-19 testing facility which was set up by VWSA last year, and which continues to provide free drive-through Covid-19 testing for employees in Kariega. By the end of the first week of August, the facility had performed in excess of 6 800 tests since its opening.

“VWSA has played an instrumental role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic so far,” said Dr Robert Cisek, VWSA Chairman and Managing Director. “As one of the largest employers in the Eastern Cape, we take the responsibility of protecting our employees and the community against Covid-19 seriously. This vaccination centre is an important part of fulfilling that duty, and I am proud of each employee who supports us in our duty by choosing to vaccinate.”

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Sanitize your hands as well as your car

vuyi on July 7, 2021

Before the third wave began in earnest, there was a tendency to be more relaxed about the possibility of contracting or spreading the virus. The reality is that we need to maintain high levels of alertness and that includes ensuring our cars are ‘safe spaces.’

As South Africa battles the third wave of COVID-19 infections, individuals and companies need to recommit to policies put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. This means ensuring vehicles are properly sanitized before and after each drive.

Here are some guidelines we should all be following to ensure our safety and that of everyone around us.

Wash and sanitize your hands at every opportunity but if you do not have access to hand-washing facilities, just sanitize them.
If you receive stock or other items, spray or wipe it down with disinfectant.
At the end of your drive, disinfect the vehicle so that either you can start your next trip with a fully sanitized car.
Areas to sanitize include: the door, door handles, dashboard, steering wheel, rear-view mirror, gearstick, handbrake, radio, arm rests, seatbelt, seat, indicator levers, seat levers and even fuel cards.
Wipe down the infotainment system as well but avoid using an alcohol-based cleaner on electronic elements.
Remember to sanitize the exterior of the vehicle: door handles, door frames and the exterior of the boot.
If someone travels with you, do not forget to sanitize upon their exit.
Keep hand sanitizer or wipes in your vehicle.

We should all get into the habit of sanitizing our vehicles and everything that we come in contact with daily. The importance of reducing the spread and impact of the pandemic cannot be over emphasized and we all need to play our part. Start today if you haven’t already begun doing so.

Source: MasterDrive

Nissan Allows Free use of Body Temperature and Health Management Technology

vuyi on April 20, 2021

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan announced on April 13 that it will allow the free use of Nissan technology for a body temperature and health management system created by Computer Engineering & Consulting Ltd (CEC). The free use is based on the IP Open Access Declaration Against COVID-19, which Nissan joined in May last year.

To help control the spread of COVID-19, Nissan is making as much use as possible of remote working in its back-office operations, while implementing thorough on-site safety measures in production and logistics. For employees who need to work onsite at Nissan facilities, safety and health measures such as hand disinfection and body temperature checks are required for entry.

As an enhancement, Nissan developed a system capable of integrated management of body temperature and health status and implemented it at plants in Japan. The system uses either a contactless thermometer or a thermo-camera to take measurements of employees’ body temperatures as they enter a facility. The employees then enter basic information into a tablet device, which is then registered in the system automatically after authentication by ID card. This reduces both the amount of information employees need to enter and data entry errors. It also enables supervisors to manage accurate information on the body temperature and health status of employees, allowing the bolstering of measures to manage their health and prevent the spread of infection at the workplace.

Nissan has licensed this technology to CEC for the company to use as part of an ICT solution aimed at its manufacturing operations.

Reference: IP Open Access Declaration Against COVID-19

IP rights holders declare that they will not assert any patent, utility model, design or copyright claims against activities whose sole purpose is to diagnose, prevent and contain COVID-19 infections, and will not seek any consideration or compensation until the date on which the World Health Organization (WHO) declares the COVID-19 outbreak to be over.

A look at vehicle sales figures one year since lockdown began.

vuyi on April 6, 2021

As the country observed the first-year anniversary since lockdown commenced, new vehicle sales provided reason for the industry to celebrate.

Twelve months ago, the country reeled to news of the pending lockdown as showrooms prepared to close their doors, consumers headed home, and vehicles were only let out for essential services. In March 2020, the new vehicle market plummeted 29.7% compared to March 2019 to record just 33,545 sales. The grip on the South African motor industry had tightened quickly.

One year later, the resilient industry is fighting a hard recovery. But March 2021 sales put one of their best feet forward.

With interest rates remaining stable at their low levels, a constantly – albeit slowly – improving supply of imported vehicles, and a slightly healthier economy operating within eased levels of restrictions, we expect the market to continue recovering well.
– Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank Vehicle and Asset Finance

“Reassuringly, March sales show a 18.4% increase over February this year, a number more indicative of the real strength of the market,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank Vehicle and Asset Finance. “With many of the brands indicating difficulty securing sufficient stock to meet demand, the new vehicle market seems to be well on its way to recovery.”

Passenger car sales were up 23.4% to 27,330 units year-on-year and 13.2% up on February 2021. With some renewed activity in the rental market, the consumer demand was noticeable with dealer sales in the segment up 24.2%.

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) delivered a staggering 52.4% improvement over March last year to sell 14,375 units. This performance means the LCV segment is up 13.2% year-to-date and hopefully represents a surge in business confidence. The majority of activity in the segment remained on the showroom floor with dealers selling 61.1% more bakkies than they did a year ago.

“With interest rates remaining stable at their low levels, a constantly – albeit slowly – improving supply of imported vehicles, and a slightly healthier economy operating within eased levels of restrictions, we expect the market to continue recovering well,” says Gaoaketse. “While we have seen a significant increase in the average deal size financed by WesBank, we don’t expect new vehicle prices to increase dramatically. This will also provide added stimulus to the market and is a positive sign of consumer sentiment and ability to participate in the new vehicle market.”

The strong March performance made an encouraging impact on year-to-date sales. First quarter sales are just 0.9% down on the same period last year with 116,225 sales recorded during the first three months.

COVID-19 and insurance claims

vuyi on August 21, 2020

Every driver should know what the stance of their insurer is with regard to post-curfew driving

– eugene herbert, managing director of MasterDrive

South Africans are rejoicing at the news that lockdown restrictions have been lowered to level two. This will allow drivers to move more freely between provinces but the curfew remains in place. Some drivers are questioning what are the insurance consequences of driving after curfew and being involved in a crash.

The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says the company consulted their insurers to provide some context. “Our insurers say that a claim for a crash after curfew would not be rejected on those grounds alone. They, however, encourage drivers to avoid being on the road after 10pm unless it is an emergency.

“Additionally, while they can speak to their own policies about the validity of claims that occur after 10pm, this may vary between insurers. Every driver should know what the stance of their insurer is with regard to post-curfew driving.

This is especially so for those driving home from a late shift and drivers who are legitimately allowed on the road at that time. Speak to your insurer now about what they expect and your unique circumstances rather than argue it after the fact,” says Herbert.

It is a folly to think that you have no chance of crashing on your quick trip to the shop down the road

– EUGENE HERBERT, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MASTERDRIVE

Cancelling insurance

Drivers trying to reduce their monthly expenses are also advised against cancelling their insurance premiums. “Even if you will still be working from home for the foreseeable future, cancelling your insurance can have numerous negative results. Primarily, insurance is there to protect you when the unexpected happens, whether this is vehicle theft or a crash. As crime is expected to rise in the coming months cancelling insurance is a risky decision.

“Additionally, it is a folly to think that you have no chance of crashing on your quick trip to the shop down the road. Research says that at least half of all crashes happen five minutes away from home because people drive with an ‘auto’ mindset, face an increased chance of being involved in a parking lot collision and have a greater tendency to drive distracted. Ultimately, it could cost you thousands more,” says Herbert.

Find out what your coverage will be if you are caught out after curfew

– EUGENE HERBERT, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MASTERDRIVE

Other disadvantages of cancelling your insurance for a brief period include

Higher premiums once you resume insurance coverage as your risk profile will be higher.
Breach of contract if your vehicle is still under finance, which can put you at risk of losing the vehicle.

In both of these scenarios it pays to know where you stand. “Find out what your coverage will be if you are caught out after curfew, for whatever reason, or if you qualify for a reduction while working from home. Either way, knowledge is power when you make a decision related to your insurance coverage,” says Herbert.

Sanitising after a refuel

vuyi on August 11, 2020

An inevitable task for all motorists will be the need to fill their vehicles with fuel eventually. Along with this will come many opportunities to potentially come into contact with the COVID-19 virus. The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says while one should avoid hysteria or paranoia, you should also take precautions to look after yourself.

Herbert provides some tips to keep in mind when refuelling to minimise your exposure as much as possible:

Do not forget to put your mask on as soon as you arrive and before you speak to the petrol attendant
Wherever possible, make use of the tap function on your card
However, card limits and petrol costs often make this prohibitive and you may need to enter your pin. Some petrol stations may provide sanitiser before and after entering a pin
If they do not, keep a hand sanitiser bottle or wipes in your car
There are numerous stories on social media saying that sanitisers can set your car alight. Specific conditions, however, are required for this to happen, spontaneous combustion is not possible. Gel or liquid hand sanitisers need an external ignition source to catch alight. The heat of a car alone is not enough to cause a fire. So, it is safe to keep a hand sanitiser in your vehicle.
If you need a bathroom break, try avoid using the facilitates at a petrol station. There are many surfaces that could still be holding the virus and you would be safer waiting until home or using a sanitiser if you need to wash your hands.
When you sanitise your car, do not forget to clean the area around your petrol cap both inside and out so that you protect both yourself and the next petrol attendant.
If a petrol attendant touches anything else, for example under the bonnet, be sure to wipe that down as well.

Following these few simple techniques can help keep you safe. “It also shows consideration to the petrol attendants who assist a large amount of people throughout the day,” says Herbert.

Nissan introduces new Shop@Home services in South Africa

vuyi on July 8, 2020

In response to the unique challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic, Nissan is rapidly transforming the customer experience to effectively bring the showroom directly into potential buyers’ homes.

All the most popular services, queries and bookings associated with a trip to your local dealer can now be done virtually from the safety of your living room. This includes an interactive video call with our dealers nationwide linking digital solutions to the physical dealer environment, enabling our customers to virtually connect with our highly skilled sales executives for a real-time virtual demonstration of the vehicle.

In addition to South Africa, Nissan has grouped its digital and remote services under a new Shop@Home tab on its websites across Middle East, Turkey and India. Services include ordering online, get a quotation or request a call back.

At Nissan, we listened to customers during this challenging time….
– GUILLAUME CARTIER, nissan Chairman of the Africa Middle East and India (AMI) region

The buying process can also be completed online with the help of a finance calculator and soon a pre-finance assessment will be introduced, as well as comprehensive service and warranty information.

Nissan SA will shortly be offering home test drives with a few pilot dealers, to support the customers who prefer to physically experience a Nissan vehicle of their choice. The next on the list will include a full virtual showroom experience, providing a 360 virtual tour of the dealership and all vehicles from the safety of your living room.

Nissan Chairman of the Africa Middle East and India (AMI) region, Guillaume Cartier, said: “The digital space offers huge potential to revolutionise the vehicle purchase and ownership experience. At Nissan, we listened to customers during this challenging time, and have developed a range of online features and services that allow people to choose, compare, configure and even purchase a vehicle from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”

The pandemic has had a profound impact on businesses and people….
– JONI PAIVA, NISSAN AMI REGIONAL Vice President

In addition to the Shop@Home features, Nissan’s website also has a complete section dedicated to customer wellbeing for the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes fun family activities to do under a lockdown, useful tips to be safe, and updates on Nissan’s contribution in fighting the virus under its COVID-19 Updates tab.

Nissan AMI Regional Vice President, Joni Paiva, commented: “The pandemic has had a profound impact on businesses and people. We are adapting to a ‘new normal’ by providing the functionality needed around buying and owning a vehicle, with the safety, flexibility, and ease of doing so from home or place of work. It is all about convenience for our customers.”

BMW SA partners with South African and German governments to upgrade eight hospitals in Covid-19 response

vuyi on June 30, 2020

In a global crisis like the Corona pandemic, solidarity matters more than anything else
– Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of management of BMW Group

Midrand, South Africa – BMW’s contribution to the fight against the spread of Covid-19 stepped up a gear today. In a virtual signing ceremony, CEO BMW AG Mr Oliver Zipse, Federal Minister Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, Mr Gerd Müller together with Professor Mkhululi Lukhele: Head of Department Gauteng Department of Health, and Tim Abbott, CEO BMW South Africa, announced upgrades to eight hospitals and four clinics, in three provinces – Gauteng, North West and Limpopo.

Improvements will include the upgrade for the Soshanguve Combined Clinic, near the company’s Rosslyn manufacturing plant, to a testing and screening centre. The company has provided a fully equipped ambulance and cars for transporting patients to the various hospitals in the region.

At Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Soshanguve, the Accident and Emergency facilities will be significantly upgraded and 300 beds added.

An additional 300 beds will be added across the region, with a further 150-bed overflow facility to be provided in Bronkhorstspruit. Supplementary to this, four community clinics in Soshanguve will be provided with a supply of face masks, disinfectant and PPE.

The project in Gauteng is part of our Corona response program
-GERD MÜLLER, Federal Minister Economic Development

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of management of BMW Group said “In a global crisis like the Corona pandemic, solidarity matters more than anything else. We help where help is particularly needed. That is why, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Development and the South African Government, we support the development of the health infrastructure at our site in Gauteng.”

Effective assistance at the right time.

Federal Minister Economic Development, Gerd Müller, said “The project in Gauteng is part of our Corona response program, which we use to combat not only the health crisis, but also the severe economic crisis in South Africa. Here companies that are represented locally like the BMW Group are important partners in German development policy.”

We’re providing BMW X3s built here in Rosslyn to help transport patients as well
– Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa

Local partners make it all possible.

Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said the plan was to intervene in an area of need at the most critical time.

“I’m pleased we are able to co-operate with the German government in a R76m investment into eight hospitals and four community clinics across three provinces. We will provide 750 beds, an ambulance, an upgrade to Accident and Emergency facilities, additional testing and screening facilities to support our communities when they need it the most. We’re providing BMW X3s built here in Rosslyn to help transport patients as well. We build more than just cars and we need international solidarity and governments working together with the private sector during a global crisis. Together we can fight this crisis.”

“We’ve been building cars in Rosslyn for almost five decades. We’re part of this country and we’re committed to its future. More than at any time I can remember, now is the time society needs pool its resources.”

Ongoing targeted assistance.

In April, BMW South Africa responded the call for help from the Gauteng Department of Health for donations of face masks and other protective gear for emergency services personnel.

In response, the company handed over 40 000 high-quality protective respiratory (FFP2) face masks to the department in order to help protect health services workers.

In May, BMW South Africa loaned 17 cars – mainly BMW X3s built at Rosslyn – to the Red Cross, to assist them with contact tracing and the delivery of hot meals, food parcels and the dissemination of information in rural and marginalised communities.

Seamless servicing of essential services vehicles.

Many essential services use BMW Group vehicles and it has been important to the success of the national lockdown that these people have remained mobile. Specified BMW retail partners have stayed open across the country throughout the lockdown to ensure the quick and effective servicing of these vehicles. Now, under Level Four lockdown, all BMW service centres are open for business.

This has meant that vehicles driven by the South African Police Services, Metro Police departments, medical personnel and the private vehicles of essential services workers have had the servicing and roadside assistance support they have required from the outset of the lockdown.