Maruti Suzuki launches COVID-19 safety accessories for its cars to woo customers

• The company has introduced as many as nine accessories which include three ply-face masks, protective goggles, shoe cover, hand gloves along with face shield visor.
• The company said this is in order to strengthen customer confidence and it will add more items under its ‘Health and Hygiene' range.
• Maruti has experienced a major setback in its sales due to the nationwide lockdown.

India’s largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has launched a range of COVID-19 protection accessories — its second move to boost sales after offering home delivery of cars.

Maruti’s accessories range from masks, protective goggles, shoe cover, hand gloves, face shield visor for the driver to even a car cabin protective partition.The company said the launch of the products under its ‘Health and Hygiene’ range are to strengthen customer confidence.


And they also come cheap – ranging from ₹10 to ₹650. However, the company said the protective gears meet all quality requirements, and Quality Control Services (QCS) and Sitra labs certified the face mask.

Maruti, which was hoping to recover from the massive auto slowdown last year, faced a huge setback with the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. In March although the coronavirus lockdown period was just for one week, the total sales slid almost 47% in March followed by zero domestic sales in April.

Maruti’s manufacturing plants were also shut since March 22, and opened up only on May 12.

In another desperate measure, earlier in May, Maruti started home delivery of cars. The company said customers could choose the model, colour and accessories online and the car will be delivered at home. “All staff visiting the customer’s home will follow safety protocols – including wearing masks and carrying sanitizers. All cars will be fully disinfected before delivery. In case of delivery from showrooms, limited persons would be encouraged,” said the company’s statement.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of 2020, Maruti Suzuki’s share price has taken a massive hit because of the coronavirus pandemic, subdued sales and shutting down of showrooms and factories.

After the ease of the lockdown, the stocks were slowly recovering and are up over 14% since the opening of the Manesar plant on May 12.

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