SAFE SPACE
Hyundai dealerships are sanitised to ensure you can make a trip down there, whether you want to buy a car or get it serviced
GOING BACK TO NORMAL. IS THAT EVER GOING to happen? As the lockdown is lifted in most parts of the country, everyone is looking around for hints of familiarity, of life as we knew it. Car companies have taken the buying experience online, to ensure they could sell during the lockdown and also to prepare for the social distancing norms that are going to be a part of life going ahead. However, there is still a sizeable chunk of people that will want to visit a dealership before they put down their hard-earned money on a car. No matter which car it is — even a few lakhs isn’t a small amount. Hyundai understands this and has put a number of systems in place to ensure that its dealerships are hygienic, safe spaces that customers won’t need to think twice before visiting.
It all starts at the door, with a temperature check to ensure those entering the premises are not showing symptoms of fever, and hand sanitiser being dispensed. On the inside every surface that is used often is sanitised regularly and norms are in place for social distancing. The display cars are generally pawed by every customer who is interested in the car, and these cars are santised completely every day. High touch points like the steering wheel, gear knob, door handles/ latches, centre console, seat belt and buckle are sanitised after every demo. There are even disposable covers for the steering wheel and seats that are changed for every customer, to ensure that the car they are stepping in to is as safe as it possibly can be. Sales advisors have even been encouraged to hold open
HYUNDAI HAS PUT SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT ITS DEALERSHIPS ARE HYGIENIC, SAFE SPACES
the doors and shut them so you don’t have to touch anything unless absolutely necessary.
In the lounge, there are hand sanitisers everywhere and areas and surfaces that are frequented by people like the sofas, chairs, tabless and washrooms are sanitised every two hours. There are no more reusable tea cups and water glasses — it is all disposable now. Meanwhile customers will be seated two metres apart and tables for negotiations have been spaced out properly too.
The staff at dealerships have been properly trained as well to wear masks, wash hands often and maintain social distancing. The dealership will give you a mask if you aren’t wearing one, to ensure you as well as others around you are safe. More importantly, the staff will encourage you to take appointments so there aren’t too many people in the dealership at one time. As for when you go for a test drive, your license and other belongings will be kept in a sanitised bag and a sanitised pen will be given to you. The same procedure of sanitising the car before and after you use it will be followed, with disposable seat covers and steering wheel covers, and the six high-touch points being sanitised before as well as after you use the car.
When it comes to delivery, you can opt for your car to be delivered home to you after you make a purchase. But if you want to come to the dealership to pick it up, there are measures in place for that too! Delivery timings will be staggered to prevent crowds and the car will be sanitised beforehand and also in front of the customer. Social distancing will be maintained and documents will be kept in a sanitised paper bag and handed over to ensure that there is minimal contact between the staff and the customers.
And while buying the car is one thing, existing customers have to get their cars serviced as well. There are safety measures in place for this process as well. Again, there is a temperature screening checkpoint before you enter, the staff all have their masks on and regularly wash their hands. Anywhere that the customer frequents like the lounge or the front desk will be sanitised every two hours. And of course, sanitisers are available everywhere so you can stay clean.
As for what is going on behind the scenes, repair orders will be displayed over sanitised tablets and RO copies and invoices will be sent digitally to your phone. No more exchanging paperwork! The seat and steering covers will be installed while anyone else is in the car and will only be taken off when you take delivery. As usual, the car will be sanitised before it is handed back to you and a tag will be placed on the mirror so you know your car has been treated.
So if you are wondering if heading down to your nearest Hyundai dealership is a good idea, fret not. The company has put in place measures to deal with every part of the buying experience. Rest assured, these spaces are as safe as they can possibly be. Probably even safer than they were before! ⌧
WHEN IT COMES TO DELIVERY, YOU CAN OPT FOR YOUR CAR TO BE DELIVERED HOME TO YOU AFTER YOU MAKE A PURCHASE