[Car Talk Forest] Global Automotive Industry Learning from Korea's COVID-19 Measures

Strengthening Communication of Global Brands Against the Pandemic

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] It has been exactly one month since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) a pandemic. As governments worldwide continue to close borders and impose travel restrictions amid COVID-19 fears, locking their doors both inside and out, the atmosphere in the automotive industry seems somewhat different. Not only import car companies but also domestic brands with overseas parent companies are demonstrating closer global communication than ever before. In particular, Korea's know-how in responding to the spread of COVID-19, even before the WHO's pandemic declaration, is receiving significant attention worldwide.

Korea GM stands out. GM headquarters regularly shares the situation and response measures by country regarding COVID-19 across all its global operations, including Korea GM. Sharing the operational status of all factories daily is standard practice. A separate menu has been created on the intranet used by all GM employees worldwide to upload COVID-19 response and prevention manuals. This means employees around the world continuously receive updated COVID-19 response guidelines.

The Korean case is especially noteworthy. The shared manual extensively cites the factory disinfection measures and work arrangements proactively introduced by Korea GM. Even beyond the manual, at the end of last month, GM headquarters directly consulted on COVID-19 response know-how for the Bupyeong and Changwon plants. Not only GM but also Renault Samsung, whose parent company is the French Renault Group, is reportedly gaining attention within the group as a benchmarking case for COVID-19 spread prevention know-how. Unlike overseas plants that have been shut down for nearly a month, domestic plants have continued production without major disruptions after a two-day shutdown in February due to parts supply issues, which seems to have firmly established their reputation.

What about the import car industry? Mercedes-Benz Korea has also strengthened communication with its German headquarters. The Daimler Group sends messages through its internal system encouraging social distancing. The operational status of plants in various countries is continuously shared, mainly among executives. Since the shutdown of Mercedes-Benz plants in Europe could disrupt vehicle supply for domestic sales, they are cooperating more closely to prepare together for the impact of COVID-19. Of course, internal communication within Mercedes-Benz Korea is not neglected. Last month, when remote work was implemented due to the domestic COVID-19 outbreak, they even held an online town hall meeting.

Learning from Korea is in full swing in the global automobile manufacturing industry. Domestic import car companies introduced COVID-19 response programs as early as the beginning of last month. Mercedes-Benz Korea minimized staff at showrooms and service centers and extended the period for integrated service packages covering repairs, inspections, and consumable replacements by three months. BMW Korea, in addition to its own disinfection efforts, partnered with CESCO to conduct professional sterilization services once a week. These independently developed proactive response methods are being shared overseas as exemplary cases.

The automotive industry is going through an unprecedented crisis. We hope that the world will share ideas and difficulties to overcome the massive challenge of COVID-19 as soon as possible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.