OEMs, Dealers Donate to Fire Relief
Make monetary contributions, offer car payment relief, mobile EV chargers and more.
Relief efforts include cash donations, deferred car payments and more.
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Many automakers have been offering support to victims of the Los Angeles-area wildfires, from direct donations to deferred car payments.
Ford dealers in 13 states have donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. Combined with contributions from Ford’s philanthropic arm, the company said it’s given $465,000 to various relief efforts.
The Detroit-area automaker is also deferring fire victims’ car payments and offering employee pricing to consumers, along with paying for electric-vehicle charging, among other efforts.
General Motors has deployed mobile EV charging units in affected areas, provided vehicles to the Red Cross, and facilitated employee giving campaigns. It also plans donations to nonprofit groups working in the burn areas, particularly those helping local school systems, and will offer financial help toward a new vehicle purchase to consumers whose cars were destroyed.
“We’re finding ways to help get people back on the road and using our resources to make a difference in the recovery in the weeks and months to come,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president global commercial growth strategies and operations.
Honda said it contributed $1 million to the Red Cross for recovery efforts, along with offering customers payment relief.
“Honda recognizes the increased need for support and is dedicated to helping the communities impacted by the wildfires in the city Honda first called home in America 65 years ago," said Jennifer Thomas, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at American Honda Motor.
Toyota’s North American and financial services divisions are offering car payment relief options. In addition to annual contributions to the Red Cross and other disaster-relief groups, it said it’s matching U.S. employee donations to the groups.
Stellantis is offering employee prices for RAM vehicles to fire victims as well as vehicle payment assistance.
Hyundai donated $200,000 to relief efforts.
Others contributing to relief include Kia, Mazda and Tesla.
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