With the growing concerns over the coronavirus, the state and federal government has decided that the best possible course of action is to require a mandatory lockdown, where everybody is urged to stay home. Only employees with essential functions, such as food workers, medical workers, and health workers, are allowed outside.
Given this, car dealerships in Albuquerque, NM are asking the government to consider their business as ‘essential’ services and, thus, should be exempted from the ‘shelter in place’ rules.
Why Kia Dealers in Albuquerque, NM are ‘essential’ services
According to a letter sent to President Donald Trump on March 17 by car dealerships and trade groups, they are asking to be considered essential as they are the ones providing vehicle service and parts to ensure the safe transportation of essential workers.
The letter emphasized that vehicles still need to be operational and properly maintained amidst the pandemic since millions of car owners are government workers, healthcare providers, first responders, and employees of other ‘essential’ businesses. It is also inevitable that some of these workers will need to buy new or used cars just to get to work since public transportation had been halted.
The letter further explains that motor vehicles are critical to secure the public’s need for “food and other necessities of life”. To that end, vehicle repair and maintenance, as well as sales facilities, should be considered essential operations. After all, the nation still needs people that can professionally do safety recall and critical maintenance repairs, and provide loaner vehicles whenever necessary.
Essential or Not? Car dealers faced confusion amidst the pandemic
Though most auto dealers and service repair stations remain open during the lockdown, they still want the government to formally call them as essential services in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The federal government has yet to decide if car dealerships can be considered as essential. Nevertheless, many states have already adopted their own rules as to whether a dealership can stay open or not.
For now, the state has tight restrictions on buying either old or new cars. Dealerships can sell cars through the internet or through virtual selling, but they must not allow customers in their showrooms. This meant that vehicle deliveries, document signatures, and other such nature must occur at the customer’s place of residence or business, whichever applies. Delivered vehicles are also heavily sanitized before being sent to customers. Some car dealerships even offer to deliver test drive vehicles right at the customer’s doorstep for their convenience.
However, if you are looking to repair your vehicle, you are in luck, as automobile repair services have already been deemed as essential by the state government. Kia dealerships in Albuquerque NM are hoping that things might change for the better if the federal government steps up and declares car dealerships as ‘essential’ once and for all.
Need to know more whether you can buy a car or get your vehicle serviced in your state? Check out Fiesta Kia for more helpful tips.
