Shortly after Hyundai and Genesis announced plans to help its owners who lose their jobs because of the coronavirus, Ford has confirmed it will launch a similar program.
In a press release, the American car manufacturer has encouraged Ford Credit customers who have purchased or leased a vehicle and been affected by COVID-19 to reach out should they encounter any difficulties with meeting payments.
Ford says these customers may be able to change a payment due date or delay a payment. Ford Credit is also launching a program allowing customers who buy new cars the option to delay their first vehicle payment for 90 days.
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“We want to make sure that anyone who needs assistance knows it’s available,” chief executive officer of Ford Motor Credit Company Marion Harris said.
The Ford Motor Company Fund has also announced assistance to nonprofit organizations meeting critical community needs. As an initial step, the car manufacturer’s philanthropic arm will direct more than $500,000 to help nonprofit groups in southeast Michigan and will support the delivery of food to senior citizens and thousands of children who will not have access to school meals while schools are not in session.
In other parts of the country, Ford Fund is redirecting funds to support food programs for children no longer in school and is launching an emergency aid program with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to help students with financial difficulties get home following the closure of some colleges and universities.