See the extent of Texas flood devastation via satellite imagery
Satellite images show the devastation left behind by flash floods in Carville, Texas.
- Ford also offers payment relief options to customers in affected areas.
- Toyota also donates over $600,000 to provide payment relief to its customers.
- GM says it is offering pickups and SUVs to the American Red Cross to support its recovery efforts.
Employees, dealers and charity Ford Motor Co., Ltd., are united to help Texans as they search for more than 173 people who are missing after last week’s flash floods devastated the state.
As of the morning of July 10th, the death toll from the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River in central Texas had risen to 119, according to a report by USA Today.
To support Texas dealers, Ford Charity, we donate $1.25 million to local charities to support Texas Hill Country Community Foundation and local affiliates of Ford’s “Building Togethered” partners to help search and recover.
Ford Charitable Works was known as the Ford Fund until last year, but Ford, a nonprofit organization funded by Ford Motor Co., which was formed in 1949, and its charity division, donated $2.3 billion at the time to the charity. Last month, Ford launched a new “Bring the Building Together” program aimed at unifying Ford’s corporate leaders, employees, dealers and nonprofit groups as they respond to the crisis.
Beyond money, Ford employees, dealers and nonprofits will provide immediate support, lay the foundation for recovery by running shelters and reintegration centers and distributing emergency food boxes.
“We at Ford are all deeply saddened by the devastating floods in central Texas, and our thoughts lie in all families and communities that grieve the loss of a loved one,” Elena Ford, Ford’s Chief Engagement Officer, said in an email to the Detroit Free Press, part of today’s network in the United States.
Ford offers payment relief
Beyond the money, Ford said it is offering vehicles for rent to the American Red Cross to help dealers at Texas automakers expand their response efforts to reach affected areas.
Ford also said on July 17th, Ford employees and dealers will come to the North Texas Food Bank to pack food boxes for local Texas families, including those affected by the flood.
On July 10th, members of the Ford Volunteer Corps began preparing to deploy to Team Lubicon and Texas. Team Rubicon, a longtime partner at Ford Philanthropy, is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and provides assistance nationwide. Through Ford’s new expanded volunteer pay policy, Ford-trained volunteers will join Team Lubicon’s mission as recovery efforts begin in Texas.
Finally, Ford Credit offers deferred payment options to customers in FEMA designated areas. Ford Credit and Lincoln Automotive Financial Services offer payment extensions of up to 60 days to customers affected by storms, linear winds and floods in Texas.
Elena Ford said that automaker dealers are always deeply rooted in the community and are known to step up when they need help, such as in this case.
“As the search and rescue efforts continue and recovery begins, we will stand with Texas Ford dealers, Ford charities and nonprofit partners to ensure we reach the people who need critical support most,” Ford said.
Toyota will lend a hand too
Ford news comes after Toyota Motor North America said on July 8 that it partnered with Toyota Financial Services, distributors Gulf, Toyota and Vicvawn Toyota nationwide to provide more than $600,000 in donations to help people impacting floods in Texas.
The group’s relief efforts include donations to the Carr County Flood Relief Fund in Texas Hill Country to the Community Foundation, as well as matching contributions, in-kind contributions and volunteer work. Toyota Financial Services also offers payment relief options to affected customers.
“In the event of such a disaster, it’s important to support our neighbors and communities at times of need,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “Our minds are directed at everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.”
Tarakunen, a spokeswoman for General Motors, said the automaker is supporting recovery efforts by providing pickups and SUVs to the American Red Cross.
“Attendance and Contribution to the Red Cross The annual disaster gift programme is equipped with immediate resources to respond quickly to the Red Cross and provide important shelter and supply to those affected by the tragic flood,” Kuhnen said in a statement.
Additionally, GM is enabling STAR Full Crisis Mode service in Texas, Kunen said. This means that anyone with a star-equipped Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet or GMC vehicle that has been hit by a flood can press the blue button inside the vehicle for free crisis assist service.
A Stellantis spokesman did not immediately provide comment when asked if the company would be assisting Texas.
Jamie L. Larrow is a senior Autos writer covering Ford Motor Company for the Detroit Free Press. Please contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jarouan. Sign up for our car newsletter. Become a subscriber.
