Opel is lending a helping hand to flood victims amid the catastrophic floods rocking Germany: the Russelsheim-based automaker is providing replacement vehicles free of charge. Toyota, Ford, VW, Mercedes, Hyundai, Audi, BMW, Nissan and Porsche also offer quick help.
Fast and unbureaucratic help
People whose vehicles are no longer roadworthy due to flood damage can now borrow a car free of charge from their Opel dealer for up to three weeks – quickly and without red tape.
"We are all moved by the images from the disaster areas," says Opel Germany CEO Andreas Marx. "We want to ease at least a small worry for those affected and keep them mobile in case their own vehicle is destroyed or no longer drivable due to the flooding. After all, they still need a car to get to work and for everyday life."
Here's how Opel's mobility campaign works
- Those affected can contact the Opel Info Service hotline (02152 915 274; available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or one of the Opel dealers in the affected regions.
- The provision of a replacement car will then be organized by local Opel partners.
- All that is required is a confirmation, issued by the local emergency services such as THW, police, fire department or directly by the municipality, that one's own vehicle is not roadworthy due to the effects of flooding.
Opel has already been able to keep thousands of households mobile in this way with similar campaigns during past flood disasters. Even with the current situation, the automaker wants this direct assistance to help those affected quickly and make the next few weeks a little easier for them.
Toyota provides 100 vehicles
Meanwhile, Toyota is providing a total of 100 vehicles to its contractors in the affected regions. Toyota customers can contact their local known dealer and receive a free replacement car if their own car is no longer drivable.
In cooperation with Toyota Kreditbank and Toyota Insurance Service, those affected can use a compact Corolla, for example, for up to eight weeks. Municipalities and associations in the respective regions can also make use of the free mobility offer. Coordination and handling is done by the local Toyota partner. In addition, Toyota Credit Bank offers loan deferment and Toyota Insurance Service provides non-bureaucratic claims assistance.
Free and short-term mobility solutions
"Unfortunately, severe weather and flooding have claimed numerous lives and destroyed livelihoods in Germany in recent days – in some cases right on Toyota Germany's doorstep. Our sincere condolences go out to those affected and their families," says Andre Schmidt, President Toyota Germany. "We want to support in this difficult time by providing free and short-term mobility solutions together with our local partner companies."
Affected Toyota customers and facilities whose car is no longer drivable can simply contact their local dealer.
Ford: All-wheel drive vehicles and vans for rescue forces
Ford is providing a fleet of vehicles to disaster relief workers in Rhine-Erft County, which was hit particularly hard by the severe weather disaster. Since last Thursday evening, Ford in Cologne has been preparing all-wheel-drive Ranger pick-ups and various Transit family vans for use in Erftstadt and the surrounding area. On Friday afternoon, they were handed over to the emergency services. With this donation, Ford wants to provide fast and unbureaucratic support to the helpers who are working to help the victims of the storm in the region southwest of Cologne.
"We are deeply saddened by the suffering and damage caused by this disaster, especially as employees, Ford partners and their families have also been affected. We are pleased to be able to support the emergency services in their work in this way," says Hans Jorg Klein, Vice Chairman of the Management Board of Ford-Werke GmbH and Managing Director Ford Germany, Ford Austria and Ford Switzerland.
In addition, Ford is still expanding its support. Through its global charitable foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, the U.S. conglomerate, along with international partners GlobalGiving, has made short-term donations of 100.000 US Dollar donated to the German Red Cross. Ford dealers support their customers by making around 150 Ford vehicles temporarily available to keep customers mobile. And from the factory side, another 40 vehicles will go to aid organizations in the next few days to facilitate their logistical work. These are commercial vehicles that are urgently needed by the organizations.
One million euros in immediate and emergency aid from VW
Volkswagen donates one million euros for immediate and emergency aid in the areas affected by the floods in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate . The funds are given to the German Red Cross (DRK), which organizes and carries out aid on the ground. The donation will directly benefit the people affected by the devastating floods following the extreme rainfall, and support the numerous helpers. The German Red Cross has donated around 3.500 helpers in action.
"The extreme weather disaster has claimed numerous victims in the middle of Germany. Our sympathies go out to the bereaved families and the people affected by the floods," emphasizes Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess. "In the current emergency situation, we want to contribute with our donation to fast and effective help on the ground. The DRK ensures that the funds reach the flood victims directly."
Daimler is participating with a donation of millions and special vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is also participating in the relief effort with cash donations and equipment. Already on Friday, the Daimler Group provided high-terrain Unimog and special vehicles to support the regional rescue forces. In addition, the company is donating one million euros directly to the German Red Cross (DRK) and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW).
"Our sympathy goes out to the people in the disaster areas. We are deeply affected by the news and images currently reaching us from the flooded regions," says Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. The money will be used locally to provide people with basic necessities and help rebuild the devastated areas. In addition, Daimler is releasing employees in the crisis regions who are themselves affected or who are involved with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and volunteer fire departments. Daimler is preparing further relief measures in the various flood regions in coordination with the regional and local authorities and emergency response centers.
Hyundai provides replacement vehicles
The victims of the floods are also receiving support from Hyundai Motor Germany. Together with its Hyundai dealership partners, the company is providing replacement vehicles quickly and unbureaucratically.
"The pictures from the disaster areas have made us very concerned. We want to help our customers directly and pragmatically in this difficult situation. Hyundai drivers who have lost their vehicles in the disaster can now contact their local Hyundai dealer in confidence. Together with retailers and our partner ViveLaCar, we are providing our customers with a replacement vehicle free of charge for up to three months," says Wang Chul Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Germany.
Audi workforce collects donations
Audi, together with its works council, has launched an appeal to its employees for a donation campaign to help flood victims in Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Saxony. The company will also increase its employee donation by a six-figure sum.
Part of the donations will be used for emergency aid, i.e. for the urgent supply of relief goods and emergency medical aid for those affected on the ground. The other part will benefit long-term projects that will take care of the sustainable reconstruction of the social infrastructure in the regions. The fundraising campaign runs until 10. September.
"Every amount, no matter how small, helps in the reconstruction effort"
"In times of crisis, it's important to stand together and help one another. Our deepest sympathy goes to all the people in the disaster areas. Many of them are left with nothing," says Sabine Maaben, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources and Organization at Audi AG. "The clean-up efforts will cost time, energy and money. With our donation campaign, we all want to make a joint contribution in this emergency situation."
Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council of Audi AG, affirms: "The people on the ground urgently need support. Any amount, no matter how small, will help you rebuild. That is why we are calling on the Audi workforce to make donations.". Employees at Audi's Brussels site are also taking part in the fundraising campaign.
Donation of millions from BMW
The BMW Group is providing 1.5 million euros to various rescue organizations that are providing immediate aid in the affected regions. In addition, the plants in Munich, Landshut, Dingolfing, Regensburg and Leipzig will make available deployment resources and forces from their plant fire departments as soon as the legally required request for support is received from the relevant authorities.
"The scale of the disaster touches us all deeply. Our sympathy is with the people who have lost so much. With our support, we want to help provide those affected with the essentials," says Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Social Affairs, Labor Director.
Nissan offers free replacement cars
Also from Nissan help comes: Affected customers, who are no longer mobile after the heavy storm and flood, receive a free replacement car from Nissan Center Europe. Customers can quickly and easily contact the local dealer they know.
"Just a few kilometers from our German headquarters in Bruhl, North Rhine-Westphalia, the disaster area begins. Collapsed houses, destroyed cars and numerous fatalities are the devastating consequences of the floods. Our thoughts are with those affected and their families," explains Guillaume Pelletreau, Managing Director of Nissan Center Europe GmbH. "With the short-term provision of free replacement cars, we want to support the flood victims quickly and unbureaucratically."
Those affected whose cars are no longer roadworthy due to the flood can contact the partner company they trust. The dealer takes over the complete processing and coordination and coordinates all details directly with the importer of the Japanese automobile brand to relieve the customers. From the current vehicle existence then a spare car is made available at short notice on time.
Mitsubishi: Hand in hand with dealers in the disaster regions
Mitsubishi Germany also offers fast and unbureaucratic help. Together with the dealers in the disaster regions, the company will provide a free replacement or replacement vehicle for up to four weeks to those affected. Loan cars available.
Anyone who has lost their previous vehicle in the floods can contact their nearest Mitsubishi dealer in the region. Until 31. August 2021, those affected receive a free loaner car on site, and the dealership takes care of all processing and coordination.
25 percent discount
"The floods in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria have claimed many lives and caused considerable damage to property, and the dramatic images have shocked us all," explains Werner H. Frey, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in Germany. "We wish those affected and their families a lot of strength and fortitude in this difficult time. With the short-term provision of free loan cars and special conditions when buying a car, we want to support the victims."
In addition to the free replacement vehicle, Mitsubishi is also supporting the flood victims with attractive special conditions for the purchase of a new car that is available immediately. For example, customers who decide in favor of a Mitsubishi Space Star on September 30 will receive a 25 percent discount on the recommended retail price (RRP incl. VAT). 19% VAT.). On all other models – including those with electrified plug-in hybrid drive – the brand is offering a 20 percent discount.
Porsche supports Aktion Deutschland Hilft e alliance.V.
With a donation of one million euro, Porsche AG supports the alliance Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V. In his work in the floodplains. The money goes into emergency aid for flood victims and also strengthens the efforts of the various rescue organizations in the affected regions. In addition, the sports car manufacturer calls on its employees to make private donations. Corresponding options are available on the internal "Porsche helps" platform.
"I was shocked by the pictures from the flooded areas. Our sympathy goes out to the people who have lost family members, friends or their homes in this disaster," says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. "It is impressive to see how people stand together in this exceptional situation. Relief organizations play a central role in dealing with the disaster. We support this work, so that the people on the spot get additional and fast help."