Automakers step up in challenging times
Discounts for front-line workers, deferred payments and retooling just some of the innovations
COVID-19 has impacted every single Canadian life in profound ways. How is the automotive industry reacting to not just the tremendous threat to their own livelihood, but those of their customers and communities?
From free toilet paper to loaner cars, from deferred payments to new software that can cook the virus right out of a vehicle, car manufacturers are stepping up.
While all are sanitizing their dealers to ensure the safety of both customers and staff, here’s how many are going a step — and sometimes many steps — further. Note that some programs are constantly under review, and extensions may be offered. Check manufacturer’s websites for most up-to-date information.
BMW has added the Canadian Nurses Association to its Professional Rewards program. It already includes members of the medical community, including doctors, surgeons and dentists.
The rebate ranges from $500 to $1,000 on leases, and start at $1,000 to $12,000, depending on model.
Fiat Chrysler FCA, in addition to beefing up their shopfrom-home tech, also has its Drive Forward initiative with special incentives, including no payments for up to 120 days on all 2019 and 2020 models, and 24/7/365 Roadside Assistance Program.
This offer expires June 30. To date, they’ve also donated 225,000 face masks to front line workers in Canada, and approximately $100,000 to United Way Windsor, $40,000 to Second Harvest in the GTA, and $15,000 to United Way of Greater Toronto, with more likely to follow.
Ford has been making face shields at its Windsor plant, but recently announced a really cool (or hot) new technology for police cruisers.
New software can heat the interior of the vehicle to 56 C (133 °F) to eliminate COVID-19 contagion. Available immediately on the Explorer-based 2013 to 2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles worldwide, it’s a demonstrable leap forward in how we will advance in unprecedented times.
Ford also has a $1,000 First Responders Appreciation Bonus on most vehicles for Canadian Forces personnel and First Responders.
Effective between May 1 and June 30, they’ve also added Professional Healthcare Workers — including active nurses and doctors at Canadian hospitals, clinics and retirement/nursing homes — as well as active pharmacists and pharmacist technicians to that list.
General Motors has its comprehensive Heroes Program in place for all of its brands, offering Canadian Forces personnel and First Responders a $1,000 bonus on the purchase or lease of most 2020 and 2021 vehicles. Professional health-care workers practising at a Canadian hospital, clinic, or nursing/ retirement home, including nurses and doctors, have now been added to the list and can take advantage of these offers.
GM also announced it has retooled to make 10 million masks at cost for the Canadian government at the shuttered Oshawa plant.
The Honda Canada Foundation has donated $500,000 to COVID-19 Response, part of a North American effort that also has Honda manufacturing critical components for ventilators. Its three Ontario plants are coming back on line with extra precautions in place for all employees.
Honda and Acura are also offering first responders and health care professionals a $1000 rebate on select models. Check their websites for other current offers.
Hyundai is offering dealer invoice pricing until the end of July “to all first responders and medical staff across the country, including but not limited to paramedics, firefighters, corrections officers, hospital staff and long-term care employees. The discount is available on the purchase, finance, or lease of any Hyundai and can be layered onto other existing offers.”
Jaguar Land Rover had three response vehicles doing 90 pickups of donated personal protective equipment for hospitals early in the crisis, making it easier for places as diverse as tattoo parlours and IKEA to donate goods. New offers were posted online on June 1.
Kia has a First Responders Credit, a “$500 stackable credit toward a lease or purchase of any new Kia vehicle and is available to doctors, nurses, long-term care workers, police, firefighters, paramedics (EMS), RCMP and Rangers Patrol.” The program runs until July 31. The company has also donated $200,000 to Food Banks Canada. In Toronto and Vancouver, they’ve also lent Sportages, Souls and Tellurides from their fleets to help food banks make deliveries, and encouraged their local dealers to work within their communities to help. A payment waiver program (six months for finance, three for leases) ended June 1.
Mazda assures Canadian owners and lessees it will make special payment arrangements, should they be required. They also report many of their dealers are “working with their local communities, partnering with local businesses to provide and deliver food to those facing food insecurity, offering free valet service to essential worker service customers, and offering free oil changes for local health care workers.” Check your local dealer for details.
Mitsubishi is offering two programs to support essential health care workers, which can be combined. They’re included in a VIP program offering dealer invoice pricing until Nov. 30 and can also tap into the First Responder Program, a $500 rebate to eligible professionals. Combined, these buyers can receive up to $3,500 off the MSRP, depending on vehicle. Active retail incentives can even be combined on top of these two programs. Currently, incentives are a no-charge extended warranty for most vehicles, zero per cent financing for 60 months, and 180 days no-payments-required on new vehicle purchases.
Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with local communities across the country through its Rolling It Forward campaign, delivering tissue products to front line workers. The program reached over 25,000 front-line workers at 32 hospitals and community organizations in Quebec and Ontario, as well as Calgary and Vancouver, the auto firm said.
In Toronto, along with Wood-Green Community Services, Mercedes-Benz lent the Meals on Wheels and Second Harvest meal distribution programs a Metris van for three months, helping deliver 2,500 meals weekly in the GTA.
Nissan is offering up to six months of deferred payments on several 2019 and 2020 models, as well as zero per cent financing for 84 months on select models. Existing Infiniti customers can receive up to five lease payments (a maximum of $6,000 in discounts), zero per cent financing for 72 months on most models, or 84 months on select ones. New customers can arrange up to three lease payments (maximum $3,600) and two years of prepaid maintenance.
Porsche has been providing its Roadside Assistance Program free for doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists across Canada, regardless of what they drive. To access the services (battery jump-start, flat-tire assistance, emergency fuel delivery, and towing to closest repair facility up to 80 kilometres), they simply have to call 1-800-PORSCHE and present their provincial, hospital-issued ID.
Toyota Canada has developed a grassroots response to the COVID-19 threat, backing local dealers across the country with matched donations. Local dealers direct donations to those in their community in need — food banks, women’s shelters, etc. — and Toyota doubles them.
Volkswagen has offers “for folks considering buying,” says spokesman Thomas Tetzlaff. “We’ve got zero per cent financing, three months of deferred payments, and four years of no-charge maintenance on many models. For those already in the fold, our financial division is working with them on a case-by-case basis to help out if they are experiencing financial hardship brought about by this pandemic.”
Volvo has provided its grounded press fleet vehicles to “Conquer COVID-19, a group of Canadian volunteers who are transporting medical supplies to front-line health care workers.
The program reached over 25,000 front-line workers. Mercedes-Benz, Rolling It Forward campaign