Auto & Connected Hurricane Harvey Help from Toyota, Mazda, BBVDA, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, GeoTab, Nationwide & Mercury

Automaker finance companies, automakers, wireless carriers, insurance and connected car companies are helping Hurrican Harvey victims in various ways. Companies involved include Toyota, Mazda, BBVDA, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, GeoTab, Nationwide and Mercury Insurance.

Toyota Donates $3 Million in Relief

Toyota recently moved its headquarters to Texas, the company is donating money and vehicles to help as well as matching donations.

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is partnering with Toyota Financial Services (TFS), The Friedkin Group, Gulf States Toyota (GST) and Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide, to provide a combined relief effort of over $3 million to serve the people impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The group’s relief efforts include funds to organizations such as the St. Bernard Project and American Red Cross, matching contributions, in-kind donations, volunteerism, and the donation of pre-owned vehicles.

TFS and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) announced the donation of pre-owned Toyota and Lexus cars, SUVs, and trucks to organizations involved in helping move people and property in the recovery efforts.

the needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

Toyota is working in a variety of ways to reach the greatest number of people affected by the storm, summarized below:

• American Red Cross – As a National Responder annual contributor, Toyota supports Red Cross’ ongoing disaster relief efforts across the country, including the Texas coastal region. These efforts include helping secure necessities like food, clothing, prescriptions, etc.
• St. Bernard Project (SBP) – Provides disaster resilience training and rebuilding in disaster communities, and are currently deploying people in South Texas. Some of the services they provide include: helping victims to negotiate Federal dollars and relief, avoid contractor fraud, and education on mold remediation. In the long-term, they will deploy volunteers and AmeriCorps to rebuild homes at a lower cost. With the implementation of the Toyota Production System, their teams build faster and more cost effectively. SBP’s goal is to help build the capacity of local agencies, non-profits and government by sharing best practices and lessons learned to speed recovery efforts. Toyota will provide an additional donation of $1 million to this project for Hurricane Harvey.
• TFS/LFS Payment Relief Program – TFS/LFS is offering a payment relief program for its customers affected by Hurricane Harvey. The program’s broad outreach includes any TFS or LFS customer in the designated disaster areas. Impacted lease and finance customers residing in the devastated areas may be eligible to take advantage of several payment options, such as extensions and lease deferred payments, redirecting billing statements, and arranging phone or on-line payments. Customers who would like to discuss their account options are encouraged to contact TFS or LFS:
  • TFS: (800) 874-8822; email using “Mail Center” function after logging into ToyotaFinancial.com
  • LFS: (800) 874-7050; email using “Mail Center” function after logging into LexusFinancial.com
• TFS/LFS Vehicle Donations – Pre-owned Toyota and Lexus vehicles will be made available to help move people and property as part of the recovery efforts.
• TMNA/Friedkin Group Dealer Match Program – For Toyota and Lexus dealers who want to contribute to The Friedkin Group Relief Fund, TMNA has set aside up to $250,000 to match Toyota/Lexus dealer contributions.
• TMNA Dealer Match Program – For Toyota and Lexus dealers who want to contribute to relief efforts and charitable organizations of their choice tied to Hurricane Harvey, TMNA will match their contribution up to $10,000.
• Toyota Team Member Contributions – Toyota will match all team member contributions throughout the U.S. in support of disaster relief.
• Evacuee shelters in Dallas – TMNA and TFS is exploring how to engage its Plano-based team members to meet the needs of evacuees – such as clothing, toiletries and/or volunteer support at locations like the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas – While not in the heart of the storm, the San Antonio area sustained high winds and drenching rains from the outer edge of the tropical storm after it made landfall. Team Members at the manufacturing plant are organizing to volunteer in the local community, blood drives, and provide in-kind donations to displaced people.

Mazda Donation

As remnants of Hurricane Harvey continue to threaten Texas and the Gulf Coast with torrential rain and extremely dangerous flooding, many Mazda employees and dealers, their families, customers and friends have been directly impacted by the storm. As the threat continues, organizations including the American Red Cross are working hard to provide safe shelter and comfort for the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by this disaster.

TRhe Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. and Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) together are donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief fund to help those being impacted.

The Mazda Foundation and MNAO have been long-time partners with the American Red Cross. Through the partnership, MNAO is a $1 million member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). As an ADGP member, Mazda’s donation helps ensure that the Red Cross has the necessary resources to respond to disasters large and small, helping people whenever and wherever it is needed.

Verizon Wireless Pledges $10 Million

Verizon today announced three organizations that will receive grants as part of its $10 million pledge to fund Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The recipients are:

•  The Greater Houston Community Foundation-Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for Houston (https://ghcf.org)
• The One Star Foundation (http://onestarfoundation.org) and
• Salvation Army Southern Territory (http://salvationarmysouth.org)

The dollars are being earmarked for both the immediate and long-term relief and recovery efforts in the areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Verizon will share details on a fourth grant recipient in the coming weeks as the company works with local and state government officials in determining how to best serve the recovery effort.

Esurance Uses High Tech

Esurance is using smart technology, such as predictive analytics and aerial images, to waive inspections, quickly settle claims, and reimburse customers who were severely affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Four things to remember to stay safe during and after a hurricane:

1. Avoid stopping your car on a bridge when the wind is strong as it can be more dangerous than driving through it.
2. When driving in the rain during daylight, polarized sunglasses can help increase visibility by reducing glare.
3. If there’s a power outage, to avoid a power surge when the electricity returns, turn off computers, TVs, and other nonessential electronics.
4. Keep the refrigerator or freezer door closed, unless necessary. Refrigerated food can stay cold (and safe for consumption) for up to four hours, while frozen food can last up to 48 hours if the freezer is densely packed (or 24 hours if it’s less packed).

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