Here Are Your Hurricane Discounts for 2018
This time last year, automakers were busy offering discounts to Houston-area residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. With Hurricane Florence now leaving billions of dollars in damage in her wake, we appear to be settling into an new trend of annual incentives stemming from natural disasters. It’s like truck month for a very specific and unfortunate consumer group.
While none of the current deals are on par with replacing a vehicle obliterated by the storm, they are nice little incentives that could help influence your purchasing decisions. CarsDirect compiled a short list of the manufacturers offering discounts if customers can prove their automobile was lost to an Act of God this month.
Ford is offering “Hurricane Disaster Relief Family Pricing” to those affected, which is basically A-Plan employee pricing for non-employees. Ford Credit is also offering a 120-day deferred payment option, meaning customers won’t have to make their first payment until 2019. A-Plan excludes limited-run models like the Shelby GT and Raptor, though it has been extended to Lincoln models.
General Motors has its own Disaster Relief pricing on offer through October 31st to residents of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Customers can expect $1,000 off when purchasing or $500 when leasing practically any Chevy, GMC, Buick, or Cadillac vehicle on the lot. To qualify, individuals must provide a copy of an insurance claim form showing vehicle damage as a result of the hurricane.
For its part, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is offering a $500 bonus toward the lease or purchase of most models for residents of North or South Carolina. However, shoppers must bring in a valid insurance claim showing damage as a result of the hurricane in September. Exclusions include the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, all SRT models, Jeep Wranglers, the Dodge Challenger SXT, Chrysler Pacifica L, Jeep Cherokee Latitude, Jeep Compass Sport, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
Meanwhile, Hyundai and Genesis have a $750 “Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Coupon.” The pair are also offering a 90-day payment deferral option for those living in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Both programs are set to expire on January 2nd and neither seem to contain any model restrictions.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I wouldn't imagine that Ram is damaged if the water didn't get any higher than that, doesn't appear the water is above the floorboard. Granted both axles will need fluids changed. I've had my H2 in water up to the door handles on multiple occasions at Corova beach and around off-road trails, no issues. Granted I was driving through it not really sitting stopped in it.
So Chrysler is willing to throw a little more cash on the hood......but only if it's on a model no-one wants to buy. The stuff they are excluding are the FCA cars people want. smh