Yolanda relief efforts: Toyota, Ford, Mazda chip in
Motioncars-Inquirer Motoring had earlier reported that car companies in Manila were planning on canceling their Holiday parties to help raise funds for the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims. Some of the dealer networks have also been offered as drop-off points for donations.
Updates on donations have come in just recently.
Toyota Motor Corp, together with Toyota Motor Philippines Corp and Toyota Financial Services Philippines, donated P10 million “to be used in ongoing relief efforts for the victims of the typhoon.”
In an email, TMP president Michinobu Sugata said: “It is with deepest regret that the recent typhoon has taken so many lives and has caused great destruction in many communities in the country. It is our hope that Toyota’s assistance will help many Filipinos to start anew.”
Ford Philippines’ assistant vice president for communications Joseph A.C. Ayllon told Inquirer Motoring, “Ford employees around the world have shown overwhelming concern and have been donating to the Red Cross to help the relief effort. Their donations will be matched by the company for up to $100,000, combined with the $300,000 committed by Ford and the Ford Fund.”
Berjaya Philippines—the entire group of companies under the Berjaya group, which includes the local Mazda distributorship–donated P1 million to Gawad Kalinga “who are already on the ground,” according to Sherlyn Co of Berjaya Auto Philippines’ corporate communications department.
The TMP statement added that “continuing its advocacy in social contribution, Toyota and its affiliates are one with the Philippines in rebuilding communities in calamity-stricken areas. TMC (Japan) is the mother company of Toyota companies worldwide. TMP is the local automotive manufacturing company in the Philippines, while TFSPH is the domestic firm serving Toyota customers through financing and leasing services.”
Ayllon said that the Ford Tacloban dealership was demolished by the supertyphoon, and that “Ford has set up a temporary shelter for employees, with food, clothing and bedding provided by the broader Ford Philippines team and others.” He added that employees at Ford Philippines have also pooled cash donations and relief goods for the dealership employees and their families.
Ayllon also said that Ford is working with the local Red Cross and providing the Red Cross team a transit ambulance to support the relief efforts. Ford would be “supporting volunteers with a Ford Ranger, who are on their way to distribute relief supplies.”
Co added that the company is making available its Mazda BT 50 to journalists to supply food and water to the Tacloban area.
“We are helping our dealers who are affected by the typhoon. It’s not about how much money we donate, but how much we can do, and how fast,” added Co.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp, which donated P1 million Monday afternoon to the Philippine National Red Cross, is planning to cancel some of its November and December events to focus on raising funds for the typhoon victims.
Executives of Asian Carmakers Corporation (the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines) have given personal cash contributions for the Yolanda victims, and the company is scheduled to do volunteer work to support Red Cross’ relief efforts.
The Covenant Car Company Inc, Chevrolet exclusive distributor in the Philippines, is mobilizing its dealer network through Facebook and SMS blasts to request for relief goods to help out Tacloban. It is planning to send out a formal fund raising message to its dealers.
CATS Motors has earmarked a minimum of P2 million, the bulk of which would go to the Philippine National Red Cross. CATS plans to allocate P1 million worth of goods to be packed by employees themselves.
Viking Cars Inc, the official Philippine distributor of Volvo vehicles, said that all Volvo dealers in Metro Manila would now serve as drop-off points for donations in kind, and cash donations would be directed to organizations such as the Red Cross and the Archdiocese of Manila.
As of press time, other car companies were finalizing their own plans.
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