#WeNotMe.
ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India pledges support to fight COVID-19

Date: 1st April 2020

• Donates financial aid of rupees 1 Crore to Sassoon Hospital in Pune
• Will set up Covid-19 facility with critical care equipment and essential medical consumables
• ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India has also prototyped, developed and produced reusable face shields to offer a primary level of protection to healthcare providers treating Covid-19 patients.
• Partnered with NGO to distribute 50,000 food packets to those in need in Aurangabad
• Will support hospitals with 35,000 sanitizers across Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad
• Will import essential medical supplies to India through Volkswagen AG

Pune, 1st April, 2020: ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (ŠAVWIPL) pledges financial aid of INR 1 crore towards the setup of the dedicated COVID -19 facility by Pune based Sassoon General Hospital. The contribution is made towards essential medical consumables and critical care equipment for the medical team and patients fighting the COVID-19. In addition, ŠAVWIPL will donate over 35,000 sanitizers to hospitals in Pune, Aurangabad and Mumbai and distribute over 50,000 food packets in the Aurangabad region. The company is also producing reusable face shields within the Chakan factory which will distributed amongst healthcare providers treating Covid-19 patients.

Face shields help protect the wearer's face from body fluids and can be worn in conjunction with masks while offering clarity for procedures. Designed to prevent fogging while being light weight to allow healthcare personnel to communicate freely talk at the same time be movement friendly. Approval has been obtained from Dr. Ajay Chandanwale, Dean of the Maharashtra State Government run Sassoon General Hospital. The Face masks produced by SAVWIPL has been certified by the team for Indoor and outdoor use, will be used in ICU while doing procedures and for COVID -19 OPD consultation. The transparent sheet that forms the shield, can be sanitized after 6-8 hours before reuse

Considering the surging shortage of sanitizer’s in the market, ŠAVWIPL will donate over 35,000 sanitizers to Sassoon General Hospital (Pune), Kasturba Gandhi Hospital (Mumbai) and Government Hospital (Aurangabad). The company also lending its support to Annamitra Foundation who will be distributing 50,000 food packets to the needy people in and around Aurangabad till the lockdown is lifted. The company is also looking at utilising its global supply chain capabilities to organise essential medical supplies that India needs to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

#WeNotMe. Our parent company, ŠKODA AUTO a.s. in collaboration with the Czech Technical University, Prague, has developed and producing reusable FFP3 respirators for hospitals using 3D printers. It is also helping charities, municipalities and volunteers distribute medicines and food by offering the use of its fleet of owned vehicles. The Volkswagen Group is organizing medical materials including face masks, gloves, disinfectants, clinical thermometers, protective goggles and protective clothing – is to be made available to medical personnel providing emergency treatment and care.

Media Contact:

• Sabyasachi Ghosh
  Corporate Communications, SAVWIPL
  sabyasachi.ghosh@skoda-vw.co.in
  +91 96771 43453
• Munj Pandya
  Ketchum Sampark
  munj.pandya@ketchumsampark.com
  +91 22 40425549

ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited:

• Headquartered in Pune, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, ŠKODA AUTO a.s. and other Volkswagen Group companies and represents passenger vehicle entities of Volkswagen Group in India.
• SAVWIPL was formed following the merger of Volkswagen India Private Limited (VWIPL), ŠKODA AUTO India Private Limited (SAIPL), and Volkswagen Group Sales India Private Limited.
• The combined entity oversees the business operations of five automotive brands in India – ŠKODA AUTO, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini.
• SAVWIPL operates two manufacturing facilities at Chakan, Pune and Shendra, Aurangabad, and has a regional presence in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.