Hyundai Ghana has disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected its activities and operations as a company, as they recorded a plummet in sales of over fifty percent.
According to the automobile company, this was further exacerbated by the lockdown restrictions imposed on the country which deepened the wounds on their business.
Regina Adams, the Showroom Manager of Hyundai Ghana, speaking in an interview during the presentation of some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, intimated that the company was in good standing the preceding year.
“It has really affected our sales drastically, we performed better last year but this because Covid-19 came in three months into the year, [and] it really affected our sales.
“During the lockdown, a lot of customers were calling us, they needed vehicles, we had pending business to complete but we had to lockdown so we had to put everything on hold. Our Business really went down. Looking at how many vehicles we were selling a month, it went down like 50%”
She further indicated that the company’s sales started gaining some sparkle after the lockdown restriction was lifted.
“Even after the lockdown, we came back. It was still not easy getting people to walk into the showroom because people were staying at home trying to keep safe, but last month and this month, it has been good. Sales is increasing gradually and we know by December things will get better”.
As part of efforts to support government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyundai Motor Company Limited, in July 2020, as well donated 15,000 face masks and 1,000 protective suits worth USD $52,000 to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
According to the company, the donation is part of Hyundai’s commitment to support those in need in the sub-region and to aid the frontline health workers to combat the spread and eventual containment of COVID-19 in Ghana.
Speaking at the donation ceremony, Bang Sun Jeong, Vice President, Head of Hyundai Motor Company Middle East & Africa HQs, said, Ghana is one of the 37 countries that will benefit from Hyundai’s contribution of 16,000 items that will assist front-line medical workers and the public during these unprecedented times.
“Caring for humanity has always been at the heart of Hyundai’s vision and having assisted those in need in countries around the world, we are proud to expand our support to countries across the Middle East and Africa region that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
“The contributions of personal protection items are another step forward of making a positive difference and we believe if we work together, we can overcome anything. We hope this pandemic can soon come to an end and we can help people get back to their daily lives.”
Director of Medical Affairs, Dr. Ali Samba, upon receipt of the donation on behalf of the hospital was grateful for the initiative the government has taken so far in containing the situation, but indicated that, it was critical for other stakeholders to lend their support in flattening the curve and protecting the life of every Ghanaian.
This is among Hyundai’s initiatives to tackle COVID-19 globally which includes delivering emergency supplies to medical facilities in China, offering free transportation for the elderly and healthcare professionals in Brazil and providing a fleet of its vehicles to volunteers and self-isolating customers in the UK.
