Ford offers financial relief for US customers

FORD Motor Company has announced a credit assistance package for its American customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that is quickly spreading across the United States.

Designed specifically for Ford owners who are leasing or have financed a new vehicle through its in-house finance department Ford Credit, the package allows payments to either be rescheduled or delayed depending upon individual circumstances.

Ford US marketing, sales and service vice-president Mark LaNeve said the company was committed to “lending a hand” to its customers.

“The peace of mind of our Ford and Lincoln customers is our top priority as we work through the developments of this outbreak,” he said.

Prospective new-vehicle buyers are also catered for, with Ford Credit offering a new program giving customers the option to delay their first payment for up to 90 days.

This is not the first time Ford has offered payment relief to its domestic constituency in times of hardship, with more than 150,000 customers helped last year during the Californian wildfires, Hurricanes Barry, Dorian and Lorenzo as well as dozens of tornados and other natural disasters.

Ford Motor Credit Company chief executive Marion Harris said the company wants “to make sure that anyone who needs assistance knows it’s available”.

Further afield, the Ford Motor Company Fund has donated more than $US500,000 ($A847,511) to not-for-profit groups in south-east Michigan – one of the worst-hit regions by COVID-19 – to support the delivery of food to senior citizens and school children who do not have access to school meals while classes are cancelled.

A new advertising campaign is also in the works to ensure Ford customers know about the relief being offered.

On home soil, Ford Australia product communications manager Damion Smy said the Blue Oval was working closely with its partners and dealerships to find out how it can help its customers.

“Our partner myFord Finance is proactively reaching out to retail customers about ways they can support them,” he said.  

“We’re also working closely with our dealer partners through this challenging time.”