CARY, N.C. -

From monetary and vehicle donations to deferred payments for storm-stressed customers, automakers and others in the industry are providing aid to those impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

For auto dealers in areas affected by the storm, MediaTrac has announced complimentary email campaigns it says are designed to help dealers provide valuable information to their customers about the state of operations, as well as help drive customers back into the dealership.

MediaTrac will create a customizable email campaign that can include an offer to help drive customers back into the dealership for service. The complimentary service is available through Friday, Nov. 16.

Jeff Shenk, director of operations for MediaTrac, said, "Hundreds of auto dealers have been affected by the storm and we wanted to make this offer to help them reach out to their customers.

"The emails can be used to inform customers about the operational condition of the dealership and when the dealership can service them," he added. " For those dealerships that weathered the storm and are back up and running, the emails can be used to encourage customers to come in and get their weather-damaged vehicles inspected, repaired or replaced."

Dealers interested in this offer may contact Kathy Winslow at (800) 608-2080 ext. 207 or kwinslow@media-trac.com.

Automakers Rally in Support of Victims

Automakers, meanwhile, are donating dollars and offering programs to help storm victims in their recovery.

Toyota has announced a $1 million contribution to the American Red Cross and other nonprofits to support relief efforts in areas hit hardest by the storm, and will match employee contributions to these relief and recovery organizations in affected communities.

The company also said its financial segments will work with customers who become delinquent due to the effects of the storm, to offer deferred payment plans.

Shigeki Terashi, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America, said, "On behalf of Toyota, we express our sincere condolences to the families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Since we have operations and many dealerships in the affected regions, we felt a special responsibility to lend a hand. In addition to this contribution, many Toyota employees are already involved in volunteer activities to support those in need."

Toyota's East Coast operations and dealerships, particularly in the New Jersey area, were impacted by the storm via flooding and power outages, the company said. 

Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services are offering payment relief options to lease and retail customers in the 13 states and District of Columbia directly impacted by the storm, including extensions and lease deferred payments; redirecting billing statements; and arranging phone or online payments, the company said.

TFS customers should call (800) 874-8822 for more information; LFS customers should call (800) 874-7050. For new buyers, Toyota offers a 90-day Deferred First Payment Program to qualified residents residing in FEMA-designated areas of the above-mentioned states.

Also donating $1 million to American Red Cross for the cause is Mercedes-Benz USA. The company, headquartered in New Jersey, is also encouraging its employees to volunteer in their local communities, for which Mercedes-Benz allows time off from work, and to donate individually, taking advantage of the company’s matching gifts program.

Steve Cannon, president and chief executive officer of MBUSA, said, "The devastation that Hurricane Sandy left behind will be felt for a long time in the communities in which we live and work. It’s our hope that this donation can provide some small measure of relief for the families and businesses affected as the recovery and rebuilding begins."

Another automaker granting aid to the cause is the Volkswagen of America Foundation, on behalf of the Volkswagen Group of America, which is donating $500,000 to the Red Cross.

The company said its donation will help cover costs of shelter, food, recovery and other assistance to families affected by the storm. Volkswagen will also offer matching funds to any employee donations made to the American Red Cross or the organization of their choosing.

"Given the scale of the storm and its severity in several states throughout the Northeast, the Volkswagen of America Foundation has decided to provide resources to the American Red Cross, who can then allocate the resources where needed," said Jonathan Browning, president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America. "It is our hope that this donation will provide some relief to those affected and help them rebuild their communities and their lives."

Ford Offers Funds, Incentives

Ford employees and the Ford Motor Co. Fund are donating $50,000 to the Red Cross and its chapters, the automaker has announced, to assist in disaster relief.

"Hurricane Sandy has had a devastating impact on many states," said Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Co. Fund and Community Services. "We know that the need for assistance is great, and we are pleased to partner with American Red Cross to help provide relief."

Ford is also offering customers affected by Hurricane Sandy $500 bonus cash savings off vehicle MSRP, toward the purchase or lease of an eligible 2012 or 2013 model-year Ford or Lincoln vehicle. The program is open to residents of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, through January 2013.

Also, Ford Credit’s Disaster Relief Program will allow qualified customers to delay one or two monthly payments, resuming their regular payment schedules when their situations improve. Customers can get information at fordcredit.com and lincolnafs.com.

Trucks Donated By Chevrolet 

In addition to a $250,000 donation to the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program by the General Motors Foundation, Chevrolet has donated 50 Silverado full-size pickup trucks and Express cargo vans to the Red Cross for use in relief and recovery efforts.

The trucks are being pulled from existing inventory at dealerships closest to where they are needed.

“It is during disasters like this that we all need to pull together as a country, and Chevrolet has a role in that,” said General Motors chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “Making these vehicles available quickly where they can do the most good is something we can do right now.”

GM’s OnStar subsidiary has provided each of the donated vehicles with 300 OnStar Hands-Free Calling minutes and three months of its Directions and Connections plan.

Nissan and Infiniti, meanwhile, have announced employee pricing and special financing with deferred payments to people residing in the designated FEMA disaster area who have an insurance claim on their current vehicle due to the storm.

These programs will be offered through Jan. 2, 2013, and offer buyers special pricing on new 2013 Infiniti models via local Infiniti retailers. Details are available at infinitiusa.com.

Infiniti Financial Services and Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., the company added, will defer payments for new vehicle purchases for up to three months to provide extra assistance to those in need, and offer fee-less payment extensions to current customers for qualifying leases and retail purchases for up to three payments.

“Nissan is a major player in the Northeast region with more than 225 dealers in the affected areas and is eager to lend a hand to neighbors who have been left without a means of personal transportation,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for NNA. “Nissan is offering both employee pricing and employee financing rates to eligible storm victims as one way to help them return to normal.”

More information is available via a “disaster relief” link at www.InsideNissan.com.