BMW accelerates efforts to fight COVID-19
CESCO workers disinfect a BMW facility and car displayed in the showroom in Seoul, on March 24. / Courtesy of BMW Korea
By Kim Jae-heun
BMW, one of Korea's favorite German carmakers, is accelerating corporate efforts to fight the new coronavirus here.
BMW Group Korea has started its “BWM·MINI Relief Care Service Campaign” from Feb. 10 to temporarily close its driving center in Incheon and carry out disinfection at all its premises while keeping their employees working from home.
The carmaker said its local dealer firms are strengthening 'untact' services whereby they offer to pick-up, repair and return the vehicles of customers who are hesitant to visit stores. This is to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus between customers and relieve their anxiety.
Sanitation is a top priority concern at every BMW stores in Korea. All the employees must wear a face mask and customers without a face mask are restricted from entering the premises. Also, body temperatures checks are in place at entry points and hand sanitizers are available for use at all times. Tables for consultation at stores are 2 meters away from each other to help maintain social distancing guidelines.
BMW Korea is working with CESCO, the No. 1 disinfection and pest management business here, to beef up quarantine efforts and disinfect all of its facilities including its headquarters, service centers and showrooms in Korea. CESCO uses disinfectants approved by the Ministry of Environment.
The carmaker hired Sonax Service, a professional car care service firm, to disinfect cars displayed at showrooms and cars for test drives as well as cars released from shops. Sonax uses probiotics technology in their disinfectants. In addition, both CESCO and Sonax Service workers visit BMW stores to educate their employees about hygiene and sanitation matters.
BMW Korea has donated 800 million won together with its car dealer firms and Community Chest of Korea to help the country overcome the novel coronavirus. The fund will be used to purchase medical supplies, protective clothing and necessities for doctors and nurses. BMW plans to support children in Daegu and North Gyeongbuk Province, where COVID-19 spread was most concentrated in the country.
The carmaker takes its social responsibility seriously and is the first foreign car brand to establish a non-profit organization in Korea. Since the establishment of BMW Korea Future Fund in 2011, the carmaker has donated over 32 billion won ($25.45 million). In 2014, BMW raised 1 billion won together with its eight local dealer firms to help victims and bereaved families of the sunken ferry Sewol.