The sector is committed to the highest level of protection
The leaders of the "Fédération des distributeurs automobiles et de la mobilité" (FEDAMO), together with their members, have placed great emphasis on safety since the beginning of the Corona pandemic last year and have developed protective concepts and implemented them in their businesses. "FEDAMO and its members agree that the priority of the automotive companies is to take preventive measures to protect the health of employees and customers and of those around them," says FEDAMO President Philippe Mersch. In this context, he also recalls the digital solutions that have been expanded. This year, for example, in addition to spontaneous visits and telephone appointments, visitors will also have the opportunity to make appointments virtually. This should make the flow of visitors more efficient and the observance of distance rules easier.
A Charta with concrete measures
The concrete measures to which the members of FEDAMO have committed themselves in a Charta are to ensure that the Autofestival and the AutoOccasiounsfestival 2021 can take place under the necessary sanitary conditions.
According to the Charta, information signs will be placed at the entrance to the respective exhibition areas with all useful information for the customer (protection regulations, instructions, organisation of the process, organisation of the queues, etc.). The number of people with access to showrooms at the same time will be limited to 1 person per 10m2 according to hygiene regulations. Hand hygiene facilities will be provided in the entrance area of the showrooms (e.g., disinfectant, washing facilities with paper towels).
The wearing of a mask or other device covering the mouth and nose is mandatory in all circumstances during activities where there is direct contact with the customer. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that come into contact with customers and staff, such as door handles, toilets, payment systems, is mandatory. In the sales areas of the concessionaires, distance zones between customers and employees have been set up by means of dividing strips and/or Plexiglas partitions.
After receiving a customer or after a test drive, the contact surfaces in the vehicle, as well as everything that can be touched while driving (door handles, steering wheel, gear lever, steering column), are cleaned with suitable products.
A bit of normality
For the Fedamo chairman, the commitment to self-commitment is a proof that the automotive business is doing everything in its power to maintain a certain degree of normality in times of crisis. So that the Autofestival can run as "normally" as possible even in a difficult environment, says Philippe Mersch, who hopes for a successful and safe event. "That would be good for the customers and for us, the automotive branch," says the FEDAMO president.
