Automakers offer help for Katrina victims

[Northstar]

By Greg Migliore
Automotive News / August 30, 2005

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=13195

DETROIT -- Automakers are opening their vehicle fleets and wallets to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

General Motors said it is donating $400,000 to the American Red Cross hurricane relief fund, and the GM foundation will match employees' collective donations up to $250,000. GM also is making 25 vehicles available to the Red Cross to deploy as needed, according to Hilary Spittle, GM's spokeswoman for corporate responsibility and philanthropy.

Ford Motor Credit Co. will allow customers affected by the hurricane to defer two vehicle payments. The automaker says all customers who live in counties declared a disaster area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are eligible. Ford also will match employee donations to the Red Cross.

Spokesman Alvaro Cabel said Ford's Atlanta plant, which makes the Taurus, is not affected by the hurricane.

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services said it will work with customers individually if they have problems making payments because of the hurricane.

Nissan North America Inc. said Tuesday it is donating 30-day leases for 50 full-sized trucks to assist the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. The automaker said it will extend the lease as needed.

Nissan spokeswoman Katherine Zachary said the company also has a continuously running program that matches employees' charitable donations.

Zachary wrote in an e-mail that Nissan had not determined as of Tuesday afternoon if its Canton, Miss., plant would resume production for the night shift. The plant stopped during its day shift Monday.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said it does not have a specific response to the hurricane, but it has a standing donation with the Red Cross of 20 generators that are used in emergencies. The each generator can produce 12,000 watts, and Honda maintains them at its own expense. The automaker said its Lincoln, Ala., plant did not lose any shifts or power.

GM said it is giving OnStar subscribers in a six-state area affected by the hurricane the system's full range of services, regardless of their subscriptions.

General Motors Acceptance Corp is giving "special consideration" to customers affected by the hurricane but did not have details as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Red Cross has 10 GM vehicles the automaker made available in the aftermath of Hurricane Dennis in July, and the GM Foundation donated three Hummer H2s last year to the charity.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My revision to the article:

Apparantly Toyota, with their gobs of money that they don't even know what to do with, is unable to help out the victims of Katrina. A Toyota spokesman sighted that Toyota was more focused on taking the hurricane victims' money when they returned by selling them new cars rather than helping them recover from the aftermath. "Toyota is in business to make money. We are not in this business to donate and give money back to our customers when they are in a time of need," the spokesman said.

:Toyota:

[91z28]

LOL :CG_all: Nice one Northstar

[Brett]

Toyota gave several million dollars in aid for the Florida hurricanes last year and I would expect them to do the same for Katrina which hit even closer to their operation here. I remember on the old board, there was a desire to legitimize this place as a hard news site. Making up quotes will not take you down that path.

[Northstar]

Jeeze man, what's wrong with a little fun. It's not as if I played it off as if it was a real quote or anything. If this was a pure news site, it'd be a lot more boring.

[I hope GMRULES again]

I hope Honda hasn't broke the bank after deciding to lend out 20 generators and maintain them too at their own expense!!!. Ah they're probably hybrid generators too so it won't cost them that much!!!

[pow]

I hope Honda hasn't broke the bank after deciding to lend out 20 generators and maintain them too at their own expense!!!. Ah they're probably hybrid generators too so it won't cost them that much!!!

[post="6766"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

(What's interesting my dad pointed out was that at ASIM, the generators were all Hondas.)

[goblue1999]

Toyota gave several million dollars in aid for the Florida hurricanes last year and I would expect them to do the same for Katrina which hit even closer to their operation here. 

I remember on the old board, there was a desire to legitimize this place as a hard news site.  Making up quotes will not take you down that path.

[post="6745"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Brett,

don't take this personal, but I don't believe that Toyota donated "several million dollars" in aid for the Florida hurricanes last year.

please post a link to your substantiation.

thanks

[goblue1999]

fyi: i was able to find that the following groups, collectively, gave $1.5 million JM family enterprises, Toyota Southeast Dealers Toyota employees Toyota Motor just a bit shy of TOYOTA donating "SEVERAL MILLION"

[Brett]

Brett,

don't take this personal, but I don't believe that Toyota donated "several million dollars" in aid for the Florida hurricanes last year.

please post a link to your substantiation.

thanks

[post="7162"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

http://www.jmfamily.com/press/20040817c.htm

Thats the one I found, I do recall them upping it though after the hurricanes that followed. I wont take it personal. I really dont care, I'm not a toyota fan, I just thought making up a quote from someone was a bit over the line even if it was a joke. The quote is one of the last things we can count on in journalism and if people just start making those up, theres no need to believe anything we read. I come to this site for news, I thought thats what it was about.

[Brett]

fyi:  i was able to find that the following groups, collectively, gave $1.5 million

      JM family enterprises,
      Toyota Southeast Dealers
      Toyota employees
      Toyota Motor

just a bit shy of TOYOTA donating "SEVERAL MILLION"

[post="7171"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

yeah that looks like it. I was citing from memory. Northstar just made his up.

[Brett]

Nevermind my posts. They were in response to several threads in the previous forum about C & G getting their press credentials back from GM. Admins making up quotes wont get you there. Whether my info is correct or not is irrelevent, Northstar's was clearly fabricated. And it hardly metters whether it was a joke or not. Maybe the owners here dont care about being taken seriously, then completely disregard my posts. Sorry for the trouble. See Ya......

[daves87rs]

I don't think GM is worried about this site, compared to autolies and such.. :(

[daves87rs]

Why does it not surprise me that GM always seems to give the most??

[Dragon]

Toyota Companies Pledge $5,000,000 to Hurricane Katrina Relief


Torrance, CA - September 1, 2005 - Toyota companies today announced a $5,000,000 contribution directed to disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina, which struck a devastating blow to the US Gulf Coast on August 29.

"We're hopeful that aid may quickly reach those who fell victim to the torrential wind and rain," said Toyota Motor Sales USA President and COO Jim Press. "It's gratifying to be of some assistance during this difficult time."

Toyota companies have long supported the American Red Cross through associate-giving programs and disaster-related contributions.
$2 million of the $3 million directed to the American Red Cross was pledged by Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, California-based Toyota Motor Sales USA and Toyota Financial Services; New York-based Toyota Motor North America; and Kentucky-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, which includes 11 manufacturing plants in North America, with three more under construction.

Texas-based Friedkin Companies, the owner of Gulf States Toyota, a privately owned Toyota distributorship, contributed another $2 million to establish the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will aid Toyota and dealership employees and their families in the Gulf Sates region with both immediate and long-term needs resulting from Hurricane Katrina.

Southeast Toyota Distributors, a privately owned Toyota distributorship, its parent company JM Family Enterprises, and its associates pledged another $1,000,000 to the American Red Cross.

In addition to Toyota's contribution, Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services will assist finance and lease customers affected by Hurricane Katrina by offering a 90-day extension on payments, suspending credit bureau reporting on accounts impacted by the storm and temporarily suspending collection efforts on these accounts. Customers wishing to request assistance or discuss their accounts should call 1-800-874-8822.

Similarly, Lexus Pursuits Visa® Card customers will also receive an extension on payments and may call 1-866-877-4966 to seek a credit line increase or further assistance.

To stimulate further giving, employee contributions to the American Red Cross will be fully matched by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America and Toyota Technical Center. Additionally, employee contributions to the Salvation Army will be fully matched by Toyota Technical Center, while employee contributions to the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund will be fully matched by Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Financial Services.

Toyota established operations in the US in 1957 and currently operates eight US manufacturing plants, with two more under construction. There are over 1400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships located in 50 US states. Selling over 2 million vehicles in the US in 2004, Toyota has a direct US investment of over $13 billion and direct US employment of over 30,000. Together with its dealers and suppliers, Toyota is responsible for creating more than 200,000 US jobs.

[Northstar]

Well, I'm glad to see Toyota has decided to donate now. I don't see why they can't donate right away though. Everyone who's dying of thirst and starvation down there needed the help 60 hours ago, not right now.

[capriceman]

Considering that the Auto Industry is the biggest market in the world i would expect that all should give some money. Because we in the USA have always gave money to others in need. The Tusnami almost all gave money but i bet that other countrys will give us money for are civilians in need. O i heard on the radio that GM DCX Ford will delay payments for 3-5 months with out intrest or any thing i heard it on a talk show in detroit i dont no that if other companies are doing the same. I think there car is the last thing on there mind. is there a thread on this site where you can complain about come much you hate your auto insurance company. :P Cuz i really hate them now.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Well, I'm glad to see Toyota has decided to donate now.

I don't see why they can't donate right away though. Everyone who's dying of thirst and starvation down there needed the help 60 hours ago, not right now.

[post="7917"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Any money that is donated will take weeks to work through the system. You make it sound like the red cross was sitting around broke not able to buy bottled water, waiting for people and big companies to donate. Looks like Toyota came through BIG TIME with 5 million. It makes GM's 400,000 donation look like chicken feed.

[sciguy_0504]

Toyota was probably waiting to see the damage. We really didn't start getting pictures from the air until late Tuesday, early Wednesday. Then they used those pictures to come up with an appropriate sum of money.

[ponchoman49]

Where is Toyota when other companies are offering aid to Katrina? Busy finding more ways to help the ailing GM and Ford cause they care so much! Maybe they are going to raise there prices again. Or maybe lower there already grossly overrated power output on some engines. Maybe they will even admit that some of there engines sludge up if you wait to change your oil at 3001 miles instead of the traditional 3000. Oh what a feeling! :o

[Variance]

Where is Toyota when other companies are offering aid to Katrina? Busy finding more ways to help the ailing GM and Ford cause they care so much! Maybe they are going to raise there prices again. Or maybe lower there already grossly overrated power output on some engines. Maybe they will even admit that some of there engines sludge up if you wait to change your oil at 3001 miles instead of the traditional 3000. Oh what a feeling! :o

[post="8699"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Uh...did you read the entire thread? :huh:

Toyota pledged $5 million plus deferring payments for their customers. Edited September 3, 2005 by VarianceJ30

[american_revolution_2005]

This may be a little off topic but it relates to Hurricane Katrina. Does anyone know a phone number to reach CNN's Anderson Cooper or Newsroom. My dad is going to fly down to Texas and is going to drive a Praxair (company he works for) truck into New Orleans full of electrical generators for the Charity Hospital. He wants to get someone, like Anderson Cooper to back him up. He has been calling FEMA and they said that they need military escorts (Humvees) to surround the truck so that it doesnt get shot. I would much appreciate it and I thought this thread was appropriate because it relates to helping into Hurricane Katrina. Thanks.

[LosAngeles]

Jeeze man, what's wrong with a little fun. It's not as if I played it off as if it was a real quote or anything.

If this was a pure news site, it'd be a lot more boring.

[post="6752"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

But one has to admit, the extent of how anti-Japanese car compaies the folks on this site are is pretty juvenile.

I know, I know, the idiots at the import and the general-interest sites got enough to say about GM and American cars in general too....but I think that should be fought with taking the high road.

[LosAngeles]

i heard on the radio that GM DCX Ford will delay payments for 3-5 months with out intrest or any thing i heard it on a talk show in detroit i dont no that if other companies are doing the same. I think there car is the last thing on there mind.

[post="7950"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Aren't a lot of these cars basically total losses sitting in the water or under debris right about now?

[pow]

Some updates... Toyota and Honda both donated $5 million. BMW donated $1 million.

[siegen]

More on Honda's donations:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050902/nyf176.html?.v=1

In addition to the 5 million:

The company has registered with the Department of Homeland Security's National Emergency Resource Registry and will provide generators, water pumps, all terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, outboard motors, and vehicles for relief efforts.