The significant rise in road accidents in the country has its core rooted in the overwhelming increase in vehicles over the last few decades. But for road safety, not only are the roads to be blamed, the person behind the wheels should also have adequate knowledge of driving and traffic rules to ensure safety. General Motors India (GMI) has come forward to train chauffeurs in safety driving on Indian roads.So far, the company has imparted training to 1,700 chauffeurs of its Opel Astra luxury cars at over 16 locations spread across the country. The industry's first Chauffeur Training Programme was introduced by GMI in India in August last year.
``We have set a target to train over 3,000 Opel chauffeurs for safer driving during this year, covering dealer and authorised service outlets alongside the introduction of our mainstream millennium car, the Opel Corsa, a premium product from GM's stable,'' says P Balendran, vice president, corporate affairs, General Motors India Ltd.
The one-day, full-fledged professional training covers all aspects of safe driving, road safety and traffic rules in addition to other technical aspects, adds Balendran. And on completion of the training, the chauffeurs will be awarded certificates and special booklets on safety and service, an operator's manual and other literature of the Opel brand of cars and a badge, as value additions to improve their market credibility. The training will take place at dealer locations.
Currently, GMI imparts training to 300 drivers per month on an all-India basis under the training programme. Commenting on the training programme, he says, ``This special all-India training drive has been organised after receiving feedback from our customers and the programme aims to enrich the driving skills of the chauffeurs to handle the Opel Astra and the Opel Corsa, and to make them more familiar with safe driving. Opel has been continuously striving to set improved standards of automobile technology, safety and environment friendliness.''
``The training is imparted free of charge as part of our ongoing customer enthusiasm programme and awareness programme for drivers in terms of road safety, driving skills; we are not catering to a social cause,'' he adds. ``And, if an individual Opel car owner wants to get this training, then he can associate himself with the routine training programme, but preference will be given to Opel chauffeurs,'' concludes Balendran.
GM India is also introducing customer enthusiasm programmes. Its customer awareness programmes include the Opel Carnivals and Opel Club programmes, the mobile customer care initiatives and the Mobile Caravan-Showroom on Wheels.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.