The Only Gridlock Around MI
In the Michigan state capitol thousand of protester caused a traffic jam at the Michigan sate capitol to protest “stay at home” orders. Governor Whitmer responded by noting that the protester were endangering their lives and others.
Mazda Gives Freebies for Healthcare Workers
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced it will provide free standard oil changes and enhanced cleaning services for U.S. healthcare workers at participating dealers nationwide. This program, which begins on April 16, is not limited to Mazda owners and is available for most makes and models from other manufacturers. The Essential Car Care program, developed in partnership with the Mazda dealer network, will invest a minimum of $5 million as part of the initiative.
Inspired by Mazda dealers who implemented similar programs for healthcare workers locally, Mazda quickly developed a nationwide plan to partner with its dealer network to invest in this initiative honoring healthcare heroes across the U.S.
Frost and Sullivan Growth Opps in Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic and the expected global economic recession to follow have many governments and markets witnessing a state of directionless uncertainty. Amid this chaos prompted by the widespread effects of the coronavirus, the global automotive industry will also confront a challenging year in new light vehicle sales, which are projected to register a 24% YoY decline in growth during 2020, according to Frost & Sullivan. To help players survive the present and thrive in the future, our thought leaders have curated a comprehensive scenario-based analysis of the current challenges faced across segments in the automotive industry and have selected products and sub-domains that will expand.
Frost and Sullivan industry experts Sarwant Singh, Franck Leveque, Julia Saini, Vivek Vaidya, Benny Daniel and Kaushik M will giving the Growth Opportunity briefing, “Identify Growth Opportunities Across Automotive Verticals for Industry Recovery,” on April 21 at 11 a.m. EST.
SMP Awards for Shops
Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) announces the launch of its SMP® “Standing Together” Promotion to recognize shop owners whose shops and employees are helping their local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shops can enter by posting a photograph on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram of employees or technicians safely helping their local community. Three prizes of $1000 will be awarded to shops who share photographs on social media using the hashtag #SMPStandingTogether between April 15 and May 15, 2020. Winners will be selected through a random drawing.
ZF North America has partnered with Pontiac, Michigan-based manufacturer Detroit Sewn to help with the fight against the Covid-19 virus.
Savings and Face Mask Promotion from QEEQ
You’ll find extra savings when you rebook your cancelled holiday thanks to QEEQ formerly known as the EasyRentCars travel platform. The new brand was launched March 16.
To help contain the spread of the coronavirus, the company is offering everyone free medical face masks with a shipping fee.
“The masks are for personal use to avoid human to human transmission, but we also want to support the frontline medical staff. We will donate US$1 to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO on every order.”
Mitsubishi Donates to CRC in TN
Still reeling from a devastating tornado outbreak across Middle Tennessee, Nashville residents and small businesses have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19. At the heart of the coordinated, citywide response effort to both disasters is the Nashville-based Community Resource Center (CRC
Today, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) announces it will provide a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) to the CRC. With a flexible cargo space and the ability to travel up to 22 miles on all-electric power before switching over to its 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the Outlander PHEV will allow CRC staff and volunteers the flexibility they need in delivering essential supplies to families and non-profits in need throughout the area.
CRC serves more than 100 nonprofit agencies in Middle Tennessee, providing them with new household goods, bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, clothing and personal hygiene items for their clients in need. They are adapting to current constraints by readying emergency supplies kits for low- or no-contact pickup by nonprofit members.
Caliber Supports Essential Workers by Paying Deductible
For the purpose of Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life®, Caliber Collision, the nation’s largest auto collision repair company, has announced a new program specifically geared to medical professionals and first responders serving on the frontlines of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Caliber, with 1,150 collision centers across 32 states and the broadest network of OEM-certified collision centers in the country, remains open and is essential to help ensure local transportation infrastructures continue functioning. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has recognized the auto repair and maintenance industry as an essential service, per its “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” list. Consistent with this designation, Caliber is fully committed to repairing the vehicles of all individuals and fleet operators, but recognizes that there is a particular need at this time to maintain operable transportation for medical professionals, first responders, and their families who rely on personal transportation to get to work, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, and other daily necessities.
As part of this ‘Restoring You’ commitment, until shelter-in-place orders end, Caliber will:
If needed and authorized, pay up to $500 of the deductible for any individual frontline worker’s personal vehicle repairs, subject to certain terms and conditions that can be found at calibercollision.com/restoring-you.
- Provide contactless pickup and delivery of the vehicle at the frontline worker’s home or office.
- For those without rental coverage, partner with Enterprise Rent-a-Car to provide a rental vehicle during repairs
- To utilize these special services, medical professionals and first responders need to present a valid work ID or other proof of employment at the time of service.
As an essential business, Caliber has modified its operating model to ensure compliance with the guidance and best practices of the CDC, as well as sanitizing every vehicle with disinfectant cleaners before pick-up or delivery, and the use of technology to limit personal contact between teammates and customers.
CUTX Offers Better Financing
With the impact of COVID-19 affecting many Credit Union of Texas’ members, the credit union is announcing a Furloughed Employee Auto Loan program to help members refinance high interest car loans they may have. The offer does, however, exclude loans already financed at CUTX’s low loan rates.
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It is fast and easy to apply by presenting your furloughed letter or information from your employer. CUTX is offering flexible loan terms with low interest rates and a no payment option due for up to 120 days to eligible qualifying members*. The loans and rates are subject to the credit unions approval guidelines.
Merchants Fleet Sees Surge
With a surge in online orders as a result of the coronavirus leading to companies needing additional vehicles to match demand, Merchants Fleet, the nation’s fastest-growing fleet management company, today announced that over the next 24 hours, one million homes will receive essential goods in a vehicle managed by the Company.
The need for last mile and home delivery and other essential logistics is being felt across industries. As U.S. ecommerce sales have risen by more than a third in the last several weeks, this surge in the need for vehicles is unprecedented and well exceeds the planning and logistics related to delivery demand during the holiday season.
“Over the past two years, we have pivoted our business toward mobility offerings to include last mile, home delivery and short-term leasing, which is allowing us to keep American businesses moving during these unprecedented times by serving our over 500 home delivery suppliers, couriers and transportation clients,” Brendan P. Keegan, CEO of Merchants Fleet. “In response to the needs of essential businesses, we have realigned our marketing, sales and operations teams to support the home delivery surge as we focus on getting our clients the vehicles required to ensure people across the country receive the goods and services they need. It has never been more critical for these businesses to continue operations with minimal disruption and to have safe and clean vehicles at their disposal.”
Over 60% of Merchants Fleet clients have been deemed to be in essential industries. Transportation and logistics, healthcare and public health, food and agriculture, and critical manufacturing are just a few of the business sectors where companies utilize Merchants Fleet vehicles for their essential work.
“From 2015 to 2019, the percentage of goods purchased online more than doubled to 10.7% in 2019, and with the impact of COVID-19 we expect that to accelerate,” said John Cail, Vice President of Mobility at Merchants Fleet. “Our mobility team is closely tracking these trends and has expanded our last mile operation to fulfill this demand. As businesses look for creative ways to keep operations moving in this environment, we are pleased to be able to support them.”
In conjunction with the increase in home deliveries, Merchants Fleet surpassed 15,000 vehicle orders for last mile & home delivery companies since December 2018. The Company offers a unique program that provides variable fleet options with a single point of contact that removes the need to return delivery vehicles to a rental counter, or buy a vehicle that is only needed on a short-term basis.