Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn has announced Ford Credit customers in the U.S. affected by COVID-19 who purchased or are leasing vehicles can contact Ford Credit to discuss options if they are having payment difficulty. Customers who buy new vehicles also have the option to delay their first payment for 90 days.
“Ford is committed to lending a hand to the people who rely on us,” says Mark LaNeve, vice president of U.S. marketing, sales, and service. “The peace of mind of our Ford and Lincoln customers is our top priority as we work through the developments of this outbreak.”
Customers may be able to change payment due dates or delay payments. They can discuss options through their Account Manager profiles online or through the FordPass app, visit fordcreditsupport.com, or call 1 (800) 723-4016 to discuss options.
Ford Credit also launched an ad campaign Monday to raise awareness of the new program.
“We want to make sure that anyone who needs assistance knows it’s available,” says Marion Harris, CEO of Ford Motor Credit Co.
In addition, the Ford Motor Co. Fund, Ford’s philanthropic arm, is providing assistance to nonprofits addressing community needs. As an initial step, it is directing more than $500,000 to support food delivery to local senior citizens and to thousands of children who don’t have access to school meals.
The two Ford Resource and Engagement Centers in Detroit are serving as drive-up food pantry distribution centers. Ford Fund is also supporting Detroit nonprofits that provide shelter and exploring how employee volunteers can assist short-staffed nonprofits.
In other parts of the country, Ford is redirecting funds to support food programs for children who are no longer in school. It is also launching an emergency aid program with the United Negro College Fund to help students with financial difficulties at historically black colleges and universities get home following sudden closures.
“We are immediately targeting resources to ensure that the most vulnerable people are being cared for during this unprecedented situation,” says Mary Culler, president of the Ford Motor Co. Fund. “We appreciate all that our nonprofit partners are doing and will continue to work with them to address critical needs in our communities as the situation evolves.”
More information on COVID-19 is available on C-Span.
