The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the global car industry as plants are shutdown and customers are shielded in home.On Thursday IHS Markit lowered its global automotive sales outlook, predicting global vehicle sales to decrease 22% to 70,3 million units this year.
The IHS forecasts for China, the largest car market in the world, are projected to decrease this year by more than 15.5% to 21 million vehicles, with worries about secondary impacts of global contagion, which may further disrupt the recovery.
Chinese carmakers face problems that go beyond the pandemic of COVID-19. Dealers sold about half as many cars last month as a year ago.
Some of China’s biggest carmakers, including SAIC Motor, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Guangzhou Automotive Group, have unveiled new safety initiatives to reassure customers of COVID-19’s fears in the face of the pandemic and the economic recession.
Carmakers are designing counter-microbial technologies to free their car and door controls from bacteria and viruses. New models are designed to cover the interior of the cabin with the same degree of safety as a face mask.The concept is to provide an equal security like N95 face mask which will block 95% of 0.3 micron or larger particles.
Developing technologies to protect drivers and passengers’ safety would become one of the “core long-term growth goals.” for the carmakers now in order to refuel the interest in consumers.Such features not only comply with current health and hygiene issues, but may also be main differentiators for brands and models.
Despite of all anti-virus techniques, consumer needs to be careful because many Firms are seeking to use Covid-19 concerns to market goods and services to customers and charge a premium. Car manufacturers are also attempting to position their cars safely against viruses as well. Consumers should be Careful of any company claiming that their products reduce the transmission of viruses, particularly those of Covid-19.
