By Staff Reporter

BMW has extended a helping hand to South Africa’s fight against Covid-19. The assistance has come in a number of ways, including providing personal protective equipment, keeping service stations operational and BMW On Call responding to those requiring assistance.

Assisting the Gauteng Department of Health

Last week, the company responded the call for help from the Gauteng Department of Health for donations of face masks and other protective gear for emergency services personnel.

Recently the company’s manager at the health services department, Dr. Mpho Makwela, handed over 40,000 high-quality protective respiratory (FFP2) face masks to the department in order to help protect health services workers.

Ongoing servicing of essential services vehicles

Many essential services use BMW Group vehicles and it is critical to the success of the national lockdown that these people remain mobile. 15 BMW retail partners are open across the country to ensure the quick and effective servicing of these vehicles.

Among others, this means vehicles driven by the South African Police Services, various Metro Police departments, medical personnel and the private vehicles of essential services workers can be serviced quickly and efficiently.

BMW: always On Call for essential services personnel

BMW On Call, BMW’s 24-hour roadside assistance operation, is also functioning during lockdown, meaning essential services personnel can go about their crucial work with peace of mind. BMW On Call has handled more than 900 calls since the start of the lockdown.

Committed to South Africa and its people

“We’re all doing our best to manage the impact of this virus on our businesses and communities,” said Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We’ve been building cars in South Africa since 1973 and we’re part of the fabric of this country,” he said. “Our first priority is to care for the health and wellbeing of our associates, and I’m so glad we’re able to keep the wheels of essential services turning at this time of crisis, and that we’ve been able to support the Gauteng Department of Health,” Mr Abbott added.

“If we all do our bit to help, we’ll get through this together,” Mr Abbott concluded.

Words by BMW SA.