Ford Australia will give frontline healthcare workers grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic complimentary access to its 2nd Car subscription scheme.
Nurses, laboratory technicians, aides, doctors, paramedics, and ambulance officers can reserve free access to a vehicle from the 2nd Car fleet for up to four weeks from a participating Ford dealer.
Ford Australia says it wants to ensure healthcare workers have safe, reliable transport for essential travel in light of ever-changing disruptions to life caused by the Coronavirus.
Healthcare workers aren’t required to be existing Ford customers, and the $500 enrolment cost has been waived.
The 2nd Car program launched in 2018, pitched as a means for Ford owners to access different models for two weeks with a paid subscription fee. Prices depend on which car you own.
Most of the carmaker’s line-up is offered, from the Transit van to the performance Ranger Raptor ute, and are sanitised by the dealer.
Fuel, tolls, fines, infringements, and a $2000 insurance excess are all the borrower’s responsibility.
Frontline healthcare workers can contact their local dealership to enrol by email or phone; however they must collect the vehicle from the dealership.
The move by Ford follows new disinfecting measures and a complementary pick up and drop off initiative for owners to service and maintain their cars.
Globally, automakers are taking active initiative to support health workers battling the COVID-19 spread.
Jaguar Land Rover has loaned more than 160 vehicles to emergency response organisations, including Red Cross in the UK, Australia, France, Spain, and South Africa.
Additionally, the British brand has also started 3D-printing face visors, while Tesla is developing a ventilators using vehicle parts.
Ford and General Motors have retooled their factories to produce critical PPE for healthcare workers, too.
