Ford pitches in loan car fleet to help frontline workers

FORD Australia has mobilised its Ford 2^nd Car fleet of vehicles by offering its services to frontline emergency healthcare workers, in an effort to help with the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

The Blue Oval brand has announced it will give complimentary access of its 2^nd Car program vehicles to emergency workers such as nurses, aides, lab technicians, doctors, paramedics and ambulance volunteers to ensure they have safe, private transport for essential travel.

Ford’s 2^nd Car program is traditionally used for buyers of new and demonstrator vehicles, offers access to an additional Ford vehicle for a fortnight via a paid subscription.

Emergency services workers will be able to access the program for up to four weeks free of charge, instead of the usual $500 cost.

Eligible applicants do not have to be current or previous Ford customers.

Those wishing to apply for the 2^nd car fleet program can do so at their local dealer or online via the Ford website, with dealership staff able to create a profile for the user via phone or email on a matter of minutes.

The dealer will then liaise with the applicant on arranging a convenient time for the vehicle to be picked up from the dealership.

Ford Australia president and CEO Kay Hart said the decision to make the company’s fleet of vehicles available was designed to show gratitude to those on the front lines fighting COVID-19.

“We’re grateful to every single person working in hospitals, clinics and facilities across Australia who are risking their own safety for the benefit of the wider community,” she said.

“We believe that they need every ounce of moral and practical support possible, and we hope that by offering Ford 2^nd Car at no charge we can give them one less thing to worry about, making it easy for them to get to and from work so that they can focus on far more important things – like treating patients and halting the spread of COVID-19.”

The new initiative is the second one launched in the last week by Ford relating to COVID-19, having kicked off its Ford Pick Up and Drop Off service last Friday, which allows Ford owners to have their vehicle picked up and dropped off for a service, while never having to set foot in a dealership.

Furthermore, vehicles are thoroughly disinfected on all touchpoints within the car, while cashless payment options are also readily available.

As reported by GoAuto, Ford Australia is also in talks with the federal government to leverage its design, engineering and manufacturing expertise to help produce essential medical equipment to help fight COVID-19.