General Motors offices, engineering facilities and production plants may be shut down due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the automaker is still very busy behind the scenes, helping in the fight against the novel coronavirus in a major way.
We’ve already covered the automaker’s impressive efforts to produce Ventec ventilators and facemasks for healthcare workers on the front line of the battle against the disease, but those aren’t the only ways the automaker is lending a helping hand.
In addition to ventilator and facemask production, GM has also leveraged the expertise of its Global Purchasing Supply Chain team to help track down and purchase excess personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, such as masks, gloves and medical scrubs and clothing.
Additionally, the automaker has directed $2 million in grant funding to nonprofit organizations across the country to “address increasing critical needs,” in the medical field. It has set up a dedicated donations web portal, as well, allowing GM employees to easily donate money to non-profit organizations that are involved in the COVID-19 fight.
Money isn’t the only thing GM employees are donating. The American Red Cross is in dire need of blood, with various factors brought on by the pandemic leading a critical shortage. As such, GM employees are giving blood in their local communities through a pledge the automaker has made through the non-profit’s SleevesUp campaign. As of this writing, nearly 700 GM employees had donated blood through the program.
The automaker’s internal GM Financial arm is also encouraging those who have lost their job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to reach out to it for help if they cannot make payments. Customers can contact GM Financial by texting INFO to 53721 or contacting the GM Financial Customer Experience team at 1-800-284-2271. They can also message the company through the GM Financial mobile app.
As we reported previously, GM is offering interest-free APR financing for 84 months for very well-qualified buyers on more than 40 select 2020 and 2019 Chevrolet, Buick and GMC models, though Cadillac vehicles are not included in this promotion. The automaker’s service bays also remain open to perform emergency repairs on customer vehicles should they need it.
Existing GM owners benefit from free OnStar Crisis Assist, as well, which can provide assistance to owners if they become stranded or have an emergency. OnStar operates 24/7 and has a direct connection to a number of government agencies including the CDC, FEMA, DHS and public safety professionals.
GM CEO Mary Barra also had some words of encouragement for GM employees affected by the virus in a company-wide letter sent earlier this month.
“I understand how uncertain these times feel,” Barra said. “For many of us, it’s our first experience of this type. But disruption and trying circumstances are not new to us. Especially in times like these, we demonstrate our flexibility, agility and resilience. This team always rises to the occasion and just as we have in the past, we will chart our course.”
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