The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative by India’s automotive industry body SIAM [Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers], today marked the World Environment Day with activities across 7,200 automobile dealers across the country.

These activities all about spreading the message of environment protection and rejuvenation, driving sustainable development and growth. The nationwide initiative is being extended for a week at select dealerships for better reach and service.

In a bid to tackle pollution through the use of plastics, the apex industry body seeks to identify alternate strategies to tackle the growing problem of indiscriminate use of plastics.

Understanding the pressing need for formulating and implementing methods for sustainable development, the SIAM SAFE Initiative is also targeting sustainable use of water. With a regular car wash using 120 litres of water per car, SIAM members have introduced dry washing facility of vehicles to save the precious resource.

Under the all-inclusive campaign, approximately 100,000 vehicles underwent free vehicle fitness and pollution-under-control checks. Students in New Delhi attended a special training session on traffic rules and road safety organised by Delhi Police and Traffic Parks. As a part of this initiative, tips and suggestions were given to customers alongside sapling distribution and tree plantation drives. To complete the green circle, awareness rallies were conducted across automobile dealership outlets.

Speaking on the occasion,  Vishnu Mathur, director general, SIAM, said “As a responsible association that is passionate about sustainable development, we take this opportunity to align our vision of building the nation, responsibly, with our work. The Indian automobile industry fully supports the initiatives taken by government in regard to protecting the environment. During the World Environment Day, SIAM with the support of SIAM-SAFE members are taking several steps to spread awareness towards saving the environment. Over 7,200 members dealers are participating in the drive by checking the pollution level in vehicles and providing customers with free PUC certificates and sharing knowledge on the maintenance of their vehicles. With this campaign, SIAM-SAFE aims to educate vehicle owners and make them the agents of change to ensure a cleaner, greener, and safer environment.”

Several manufacturers including Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, Fiat India Automobiles, Hero MotoCorp, Honda Cars India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Hyundai Motor India, India Yamaha Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, Nissan Motor India, Renault India, Skoda Auto India, SML Isuzu, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and TVS Motor Company are participate in the green mission through their dealerships.