In coronavirus COVID-19 news are Genesis, Hertz, Fair, Carvana, UAW and Edmunds.
Genesis Deferred Payments
Genesis Motor America, a brand known for consistently putting its customers’ needs first, is expanding its Genesis Cares Job Loss Protection to support existing customers affected by the uncertain business and financial environment created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Starting immediately, Genesis Finance is partnering with Genesis Motor America to offer current Genesis owners, who have lost their job due to or have been medically impacted by COVID-19, the ability to request a 30-day payment deferment up to three separate times. Current Genesis owners who financed or leased their vehicle through Genesis Finance before March 14, 2020 are eligible for this offer if:
- They provide care for themselves or a member of their household resulting from the current global health crisis and are temporarily not able to work
- They suffer job loss resulting from the current global health crisis
Additionally, to give current Genesis lessees options during these uncertain times, Genesis Finance has existing policies that allow customers to extend their lease. For example, if their lease term is coming to an end, and they are unable to acquire a new vehicle at this time, these options are available to all Genesis Finance customers, especially those impacted by COVID-19. We encourage Genesis Finance customers with lease maturities in the next 60 days to work with their retailer through email and/or phone to discuss their options.
“We greatly value our Genesis customers, and Genesis Cares Job Loss Protection constantly strives to look inward at our business through their eyes to ensure that we’re a brand they can be proud to be affiliated with,” said Mark Del Rosso, President and CEO, Genesis Motor North America. “During these difficult times we’re all having to adjust our lives around, and we just want to be sure we’re providing our customers with options.”
Genesis Cares Job Loss Protection provides that for customers who purchase a new 2019 Genesis G70 and finance it at 0% Annual Percentage Rate through Genesis Finance by April 30, 2020, Genesis will defer payments for 90 days.
Also for new customers, Genesis Cares Job Loss Protection provides up to six months of payment relief for customers who lose their job this year due to COVID-19 after purchasing or leasing a new Genesis vehicle between March 14 and April 30, 2020. The program is available for all customers, regardless of employment history, who purchase or lease their vehicle from a Genesis retailer between March 14 and April 30, 2020, finance or lease it through Genesis Finance and suffer an involuntary loss of employment due to COVID-19.
Genesis retailers are working closely with local officials to stay open to service customer vehicles as long as it is safe to do so. Please contact your local Genesis retailer to inquire about the availability of service for your Genesis vehicle.
Also, an important reminder, Genesis retailers (located in states that allow retailers to remain open during the ongoing health crisis) offer complimentary Service Valet care for the first three years or 36 months of Genesis ownership. So, for those owners currently working from home, as many of us are, that are hesitant to venture outside of their home any more than absolutely necessary – they don’t have to. They can arrange, through their local Genesis retailer, the delivery of a Genesis loaner vehicle and the pick-up and return of their Genesis for servicing.
Genesis Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. Genesis is a global luxury automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design and innovation. All Genesis vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by an industry-leading warranty that includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty with enhanced roadside assistance and concierge services including:
- Three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance
- Three years/36,000 miles of complimentary Genesis Service Valet care
- Three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services
- Three months of complimentary SiriusXM® Satellite Radio All Access
- Three years of complimentary Annual Multimedia and Navigation/////
Free Hertz Rides for Healthcare Workers
Hertz today announced that it will immediately start providing free vehicle rentals to New York City healthcare workers through April 30, 2020. Beginning today, healthcare workers can reserve a vehicle at 19 New York City-area Hertz locations so they can continue providing critical care to the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“With New York City having the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, healthcare workers are dealing with extremely challenging circumstances,” said Kathryn Marinello, Hertz President and CEO. “It’s vital that healthcare workers have safe and reliable transportation during this time, and we are eager to help. The dramatic decrease in travel means we have more vehicles to serve the most critical needs of the community. We’re starting in New York City with healthcare workers and we’ll continue to see how we can help during this crisis. It gives all of us at Hertz a sense of purpose and pride to lend our support as much as we can during this very difficult time.”
To immediately have an impact, Hertz is working with Mount Sinai Health System to make vehicles available to its employees throughout New York City, and is also supplying the Health System with free cargo van rentals to transport ventilators and other medical supplies to support the crisis.
“Mount Sinai Health System and our community of physicians, nurses, trainees, students and other health care professionals are working tirelessly to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System. “We thank Hertz and the growing number of community and business organizations who have pledged their support during this critical time.”
Lindsay Davis, who is a Certified Child Life Specialist in the NICU at Mount Sinai Hospital, is also thankful for the support. She picked up a free rental vehicle from Hertz this week after growing more concerned about getting to and from work.
New York City healthcare workers who would like to reserve a Hertz vehicle from March 25, through April 30, 2020, should visit Hertz.com for more information.
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Hertz will continue to be of service in the community. Hertz is providing vehicles to its partner Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization that is currently serving communities across the country by providing assistance such as delivery services for food-insecure populations, and coordination and logistics support for those in temporary quarantine through its #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors initiative.
In New York City and nearby New Rochelle, New York – both hot zones for the pandemic – Hertz is helping power Team Rubicon’s veteran-led support by donating vehicles to serve at-risk populations in need of essential healthcare. Additionally, Hertz is supporting Team Rubicon’s efforts with Feeding Westchester by giving Team Rubicon volunteers (known as Greyshirts), vehicles to transport food supplies from food banks in New Rochelle to mobile pantries to help ensure those in need receive proper nourishment.
“Those on the frontline of this crisis – healthcare workers, government agencies and relief organizations – need everyone’s support more than ever,” continued Marinello. “Hertz is proud to show our appreciation for the important work they’re doing by providing a valued resource during this difficult time.”
Fair Free Delivery
response to social-distancing measures enacted during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vehicle subscription app Fair today announced a free delivery option that will allow customers to order, sign for and receive their car without leaving the house.
Starting today, Fair is offering a free delivery option in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19’s spread. The delivery option means a Fair customer’s entire experience – from getting approved, shopping, document signing, and arranging for the car to be brought to the customer – can all be done with no negotiation, dealership visit or even physical paperwork. Fair’s flexible month-to-month model also allows customers to turn their car in whenever they want – a powerful ability in a hard-to-predict economic environment.
After placing their order, Fair customers who want delivery can call 855-539-9135 and request delivery from the company’s Customer Care team. Cars eligible for delivery must be located less than 50 miles away from the delivery location. Delivery is not available in all areas. In this case, customers can pick up their car simply by showing their driver’s license at the dealership and driving away.
Fair’s subscription model offers affordable pre-owned cars for an upfront Start Payment, a refundable security deposit and an ongoing monthly payment that includes routine maintenance, roadside assistance and a limited warranty. It is an alternative to a traditional lease or loan, both of which lock consumers into a multi-year contract that’s not compatible for many in today’s volatile financial reality.
In addition to free delivery, Fair is also offering customers $200 off the Start Payment for their Fair car through the end of April if they use code FAIR200 at checkout.
Carvana Goes Touchless
Carvana, a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, understands that many of life’s moments are being put on hold right now, but for some, in order to keep their lives moving, a vehicle purchase just can’t be delayed.
To further enhance its 100 percent online shopping experience, Carvana is now offering Touchless Delivery and pick-up to customers that want to buy or trade a car. Touchless Delivery allows customers to get the car they need without coming into contact with the Customer Advocate delivering the vehicle to their home. Providing customers with this service – and doing so with the safety of customers and employees in mind – is of the utmost importance to Carvana.
Recognizing that even in these uncertain times many consumers still have vehicle needs, Ally, a leading digital financial services company, is committing up to $2.0 billion to Carvana. The increase and extension of Ally’s financing commitment allows Carvana to adapt to evolving market dynamics while also remaining committed to bringing consumers the safest way to buy a car.
Carvana offers consumers an entirely at-home, online car shopping platform with more than 25,000 vehicles available with virtual, 360-degree tours, inside and out. All vehicles are available for home delivery, as well as the peace of mind of a 7-day return policy. Touchless Delivery is utilized for all home deliveries, vehicle returns and vehicle trade-ins.
UAW Supports Workers—And Sad News
The UAW reported that two UAW members who had tested positive, one at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and one in Kokomo, at the Kokomo Transmission Plant (in Indiana), have passed. Both worked for Fiat Chrysler.
The United Auto Workers is committed to doing its part as well. Our Health and Safety Department has been tracking best practices since February. We will continue to work closely with FCA, GM and Ford to further enhance COVID-19 protections in manufacturing and at the warehouse.
At the local, regional and international level, we are engaging membership to address concerns and questions.
Protecting our members — whether it is during the potential spread of COVID 19 or the day-to-day operations at a plant — is the No. 1 goal for us.
These are very difficult days for all of us. But the No. 1 priority of the entire UAW leadership is the safety and well-being of our UAW family and our communities.
We are all in this together. We are committed to work together to stamp out COVID-19: for our members, our community, our country, our world.
Rory Gamble is president of the UAW.
Toyota Donates .5 Million
In an effort to better serve the communities where we do business during these uncertain times, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and its affiliates across 13 states have donated $500,000 to the United Way to assist those in need with food, water, childcare and other emergency relief needs. This is in addition to a number of on-going, “in-kind” donations Toyota has made to local organizations and non-profits.
Toyota is currently evaluating various options to help serve and fulfill communities with additional resources based on needs.
$500,000 donation to the United Way:
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Plano, Texas)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (Huntsville)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way of Madison County
- In-kind donation of 60 safety glasses
Toyota Financial Services Customer Service Center West (Chandler, Arizona)
- $25,000.00 to The Mesa United Way
Toyota Auto Body Corporation (TABC) (Long Beach, Calif.)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way Los Angeles
Toyota Financial Services Customer Service Center Central (Cedar Rapids)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way East Central Iowa
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (Princeton)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way of Southwestern Indiana
- In-kind donation of material to make face masks
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (Georgetown)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way of the Bluegrass
- In-kind donation of 2,000 N-95 masks and 250 safety glasses
Toyota Financial Services Customer Service Center East (Owings Mills)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way Central Maryland
Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Research & Development (Ann Arbor)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way Washtenaw County (Michigan)
- In-kind donation of 4,315 gloves; 2,000 cotton swabs; 1,903 surgical masks; 100 N-95 masks; 3 face shields
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (Blue Springs)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way of Northeast Mississippi
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Missouri, Inc. (Troy)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way of Greater St. Louis
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Tennessee, Inc. (Jackson)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way of West Tennessee
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (San Antonio)
- $50,000.00 to The United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (Buffalo)
- $25,000.00 to The United Way of Central West Virginia
- In-kind donation of 50 N-95 mask and 50 safety glasses
Toyota Racing Development (Costa Mesa, Calif.)
- In-kind donation of 65 P95 masks
Numbers Down
The car shopping experts at Edmunds say that March will be a down month for the auto industry due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, forecasting that 1,044,805 new cars and trucks will be sold in the U.S. for an estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 11.9 million. This reflects a 35.5% decrease in sales from March 2019 and a 23.4% decrease from February 2020.
Edmunds experts note that the downturn in March will also lead to a drop in quarterly sales, forecasting that 3,546,415 new cars and trucks will be sold in the first quarter of 2020, which reflects an 11.8% decrease from the first quarter of 2019.
Edmunds analysts note that the nationwide shutdown of auto manufacturing facilities and limited inventory mean that automakers aren’t currently pressured to offer attractive incentives on new vehicles, but that will likely change as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve.
“Automakers can count on capturing some deferred demand once we get past the worst of this pandemic, but since they’ll be competing with so many other companies for consumer spending at that point, they’re really going to need to create incentives to spur some sales,” said Caldwell. “Things might look a bit bleak as automakers are taking a hit right now across the board, but the massive stimulus package deal that was just announced is an encouraging update. History has shown us that this industry can survive through almost any financial or natural disaster, and we’re confident that they’re going to come out of this tough period on the other side.”