Automotive Industry Responds to Harvey Disaster
Labor Day 2017 will be celebrated with heavy hearts. During this Labor Day weekend, through prayers or donations, take time to remember those facing hardships due to hurricane Harvey.
Below are some brief examples of how the automotive industry is responding.
Ford: Ford Motor Co. is pledging funds -- and vehicles -- to help those impacted.
The automaker is contributing $100,000 to disaster relief efforts in Texas. Additionally, the Ford Fund vowed to match up to $50,000 in employee and dealership contributions to the Red Cross.
"On behalf of Ford Motor Co., our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those impacted by this devastating storm," the company said in a statement. "We know for certain that many dealers in the area have sustained significant damage. We are gathering information from local authorities and dealers so we can offer our assistance in the most effective way possible."
Ford plans to divide the contribution among the American Red Cross; Salvation Army; Catholic Charities USA; Team Rubicon, a Texas organization that uses the skills of veterans to assist with emergency response; and Toolbank, an organization that provides tools and equipment free of charge.
As part of these partnerships, each organization receiving funding has also been provided a Ford vehicle.
There are an estimated 400 dealerships in the Houston area affected in some way. At least one Ford store, McRee Ford in Dickinson, Texas, just south of Houston, has been completely flooded.
NADA: The National Automobile Dealers Association has mobilized its Emergency Relief Fund to assist dealership employees impacted by personal property damage caused by the storm and flooding. The NADA Foundation called on dealers and dealer association groups to donate online to its Emergency Relief Fund.
CDK: CDK Global, the dealership management system giant, said it stands ready to help its dealership customers get back online when they are ready.
"We understand that many of our customers in the region are not nearly ready for operational support. Many are still in the middle of the storm trying to keep their families safe and their homes intact. We know they have a long and difficult recovery ahead and we will be ready to get back online when the time is right," a spokesman said in an email to Automotive News. "We will continue to provide that support for as long as it takes."
Last week, in advance of the storm, CDK sent out emergency shutdown procedures that dealers could follow to get their onsite equipment shut down safely. Beginning on Saturday, Aug. 26, CDK increased support staff in key areas in anticipation of increased support-center call volume. It now is reaching out to dealerships in the region to check their well-being, their operational status and to understand their support needs. CDK's field service organization has field engineering teams ready to deploy immediately for onsite support to dealers in the region as needed.
In addition, to help with the relief efforts in the region, CDK has made a donation to the NADA Relief Fund. CDK plans to double match -- $2 from CDK for every $1 donated -- any employee donations to the Red Cross during the relief efforts.
Toyota Financial: Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services are offering payment relief options to customers affected by Harvey, the captive finance company said. In a statement, Toyota Financial said the relief includes such options as extensions and deferred lease payments, redirecting billing statements, and arranging phone or online payments.
Charniga, Jackie (2017). “Industry responds to Harvey disaster. Retrieved from http://www.autonews.com/article/20170829/OEM/170829741/industry-responds-to-harvey-disaster?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Fe
