Ford to provide complimentary cars for frontline health workers

Ford Australia says it will provide frontline healthcare workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic free temporary access to vehicles under its Ford 2nd car fleet program.

The blue oval confirmed on Monday that dealerships across the country would facilitate complimentary loan vehicles for frontline healthcare workers for up to four weeks – irrespective of whether they’re Ford customers or not.

Ford says the catalyst for the move was to allow “mobility between sites in a safe, sanitised and efficient manner to support the battle against COVID-19”.

“We’re grateful to every single person working in hospitals, clinics and facilities across Australia who are risking their own safety for the benefit of the wider community,” said Kay Hart, Ford Australia chief executive.

“We believe that they need every ounce of moral and practical support possible, and we hope that by offering Ford 2nd Car at no charge we can give them one less thing to worry about, making it easy for them to get to and from work so that they can focus on far more important things – like treating patients and halting the spread of COVID-19.”

Under the incentive, frontline healthcare workers including nurses, aides, laboratory technicians, doctors, paramedics and ambulance officers are eligible to access a vehicle from the Ford 2nd Car fleet for up to four weeks.

The usual $500 enrolment fee will be waived for those eligible. More information is available at the Ford 2nd Car website, or from dealerships.

“In only a couple of minutes over email or by phone, the dealer will create a Ford 2nd Car profile for them, and arrange a convenient time to collect the vehicle from the dealership,” Ford Australia said in a release.

“The Ford 2nd Car program is normally available to buyers of new and demonstrator vehicles, which allows access to an additional Ford vehicle for two weeks through a paid subscription.”