How the Covid-19 pandemic has affected auto industry leaders
By Akira Utsumi, President, Suzuki Philippines Inc
“My response, similar, I believe, to everyone else’s, was compassion. The worldwide uncertainty from Covid was a very real issue for me. I had my employees and their families to think of, as I was concerned for my own family back in Japan. Stopping our manufacturing activities to quarantine at home meant a decline in profitability, but I was worried for the day-to-day lives of my team. Deciding to provide financial solutions to everyone was the appropriate support to lessen their worries.
I trust my team, because I have learned Filipinos to be honest and hardworking. I was proven right, because even with work from home arrangements, our employees ran the business at high efficiency. And because of this I am humbled and grateful.
I have always known to stay optimistic. The movement of the automotive industry and our own results from the Suzuki Auto, Motorcycle and Marine businesses; the 27 shops we have opened this year alone are verifiable economic indicators of the country slowly going back to normal.”
Compiled by Tessa Salazar
