Which Motor Co. Cares About the USA?
After seeing a short news listing on "CNN Headline News" regarding Ford and GM's contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York City and Washington DC, I was prompted to see what the other automotive companies were contributing. It is important to know which companies are there for us in a crisis.
I went to (the news, press release and philanthropic areas of) each of the companies' web sites. If the company had several sites, I tried to visit them all. Additionally, I visited the leading news and automotive sites.
This is what I have found:
Aston Martin - Nothing.
Audi - Nothing. Audi's web site states "Audi News: Always up to the minute."
BMW - Nothing despite other press releases/postings since 09/11/01. Last updated 09/13/01.
Daewoo International - Nothing.
Daimler Chrysler (includes Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Plymouth) $10 million to support the children and victims in addition to other donations from their employees, dealers and suppliers.
Fiat - Nothing.
Ford Motor Company (includes Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo) $1 million to the American Red Cross, matching employee contributions to the American Red Cross and 10 Excursions to the New York Fire Department. The company has also offered emergency response team services and office space to displaced government employees.
General Motors (includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn) -- $1 million to the American Red Cross, matching employee contributions and a fleet of vans, trucks and SUVs.
Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles - Donated one million dollars and 30 new motorcycles to the NYPD to assist in relief efforts and replaced the motorcycles lost in the attack. Harley-Davidson's own employees drove the cycles to NY in a day and a half and turned over the keys personally to the NYC Motor Division. Check out their website at www.harleydavidson.com for info and pictures of their generosity.
Honda (includes Acura) - Nothing.
"The latest news on Honda can always be found right here?" No press releases/postings since 9/04/01 when the release boasted, "American Honda Motor Co., Inc. recorded its second best sales month ever in August." My search included: hondamotorcycle.com [other press releases posted on this site since 9/11/01), honda.com, honda2001.com, world.honda.com, acura.com and honda.co.jp.
Hyundai Motors Group (includes Kia) -- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
Isuzu - Nothing.
Mitsubishi Motors - Nothing.
Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp site states, "The latest news about Mitsubishi Motors." I also searched mitsubishimotors.com.
Nissan - Nothing despite other press releases/postings since 09/11/01.
Porsche - Nothing. Press release with condolences posted on the Porsche web site on 09/12/01, but no contribution.