Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland has confirmed that it's keeping its van servicing centres open so that those in critical roles can keep their vehicles on the road.
Service centres will follow distancing guidelines
While they're sticking to the guidelines that govern the current lockdown, Volkswagen reckons that those who provide the most critical services right now need to keep their vans going, and so with judicious implementation of the social distancing guidelines, the servicing bays will stay open for those that need them most.
'Provide these customers with dedicated servicing times'
"We know our customers are always incredibly busy, but we also know that at present, many of our customers are providing hugely important front line services to our nation," said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland Director Alan Bateson. "Therefore, it is our focus to provide these customers with priority dedicated time within our service centres which will hopefully make their lives a little easier and support the vital work they are doing every day. At this time I would also like to personally thank our Retailer network who are going above and beyond to provide these services to these essential customer groups whilst ensuring they also follow all governmental guidance"
1,000 oxygen pumps per week
Elsewhere, other car makers are opening up their facilities to help in the COVID-19 emergency. Mercedes has confirmed that its UK-based F1 team has worked with University College London to design an oxygen delivery system that can help those affected by the disease without the need for a ventilator. If the device passes clinical trials at four major hospitals this week, then the F1 team can make as many as 1,000 of them every week.
In Germany, meanwhile, Mercedes has thrown open the doors (metaphorically speaking) of its advanced 3D printing centre in Stuttgart, offering its technology to those who need to quickly design, prototype, and build new components for medical use. "With our highly competent team and years of experience in 3D printing technology, we are ready to make our contribution to the production of medical devices," said Jörg Burzer, head of Mercedes' supply chain and logistics efforts. "To this end, we are also in contact with the state government of Baden-Württemberg. Our expertise and specialist knowledge is available for production; now it is up to the medical technology sector to contact us. Our 3D printers are definitely available."