During this period of unprecedented challenge related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Honda is working to support its customers, associates, and business partners throughout North America, and, just as critically, to assist communities throughout the region where people are suffering the devastating effects of this health crisis.
Following is a summary of the actions Honda has taken, thus far, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding its customers, associates and business operations:
Support of Healthcare Providers
- Honda modified 10 Odyssey minivans and provided them to the City of Detroit to transport people potentially infected with COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers. To help protect the health of the driver from the potential for droplet infection during transportation, the Honda Odysseys were retrofitted with a plastic barrier behind the front seating area, as well as modifications to the ventilation system to maintain an air pressure differential between front and rear seating areas.
- Honda has teamed up with Dynaflo Inc. to increase Dynaflo’s production of diaphragm compressors, a key component of portable ventilators that are used in hospitals by first responders. The companies aim to produce 10,000 compressors per month once production has reached capacity and expect to maintain production through the end of August.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 10 Honda facilities in North America combined to donate over 200,000 items to healthcare providers and first responders, including gloves, face shields, N95 protective masks, alcohol wipes, half-mask respirators and other types of protective gear. Specifically, Honda Canada and Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) have donated more than 45,000 PPE items to local Ontario hospitals.
- Honda associates at five different Honda facilities, including HCM, are using 3D printers to manufacture parts for face shields being donated to healthcare facilities and first responders.
- Honda continues investigating the ability to meet critical manufacturing needs related to medical equipment such as compressors for ventilators, by partnering with other companies.
Community Support
The Honda family of companies across North America have initiated a significant and comprehensive new effort to harness the spirit of community in responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Honda has pledged $1.0 million overall to address the immediate needs of communities across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, providing the most vulnerable with access to food. The pledge is part of a range of efforts Honda is undertaking to support community and government actions aimed at helping people combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Honda Canada Foundation has donated an additional $500,000 to support essential nutrition and healthcare needs in Canada. As part of Honda Canada’s commitment to serve the communities where its customers and associates live and work, organizations local to the company’s head office and manufacturing facilities were chosen to receive funding.
- $100,000 to Food Banks Canada
- $100,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, ON
- $100,000 to Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation in Alliston, ON
- $100,000 to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, ON
- $100,000 to Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham, ON
- Building on the commitment of Honda associates to community volunteerism, Honda has initiated a COVID-19 Special Matching Gift Program that enables associates to make monetary donations to food programs in their local communities, matching up to $1,000 for each individual associate. The matching fund is in addition to the $1.5 million pledge described above.
- As of May 1, more than 130 associates have donated more than $19, 500 to Food Banks Canada.
- “Virtual Volunteers”: Honda is empowering Honda associates in North America to help people in need in their local communities while maintaining social distancing. Some of the activities include sending notes of encouragement to Make-A-Wish® Canada kids, sharing pictures on social media with handwritten notes for healthcare workers, neighbour wellness checks and other efforts that can be completed from home.
- Across North America, Honda has launched the #ThankaHealthCareHero social media campaign to encourage people to offer gratitude to doctors, nurses, paramedics, fire, police and other frontline professionals who place themselves at risk in support of the public’s health and safety.
Customer Support
For our customers experiencing financial stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have established a number of emergency relief measures.
- The Honda and Acura brands have offered to help customers who financed their vehicles through Honda Financial Services or Acura Financial Services with payment extensions and deferrals, as well as available late fee waivers.
- 180 Days to First Payment Program: 180-day deferred payment is available to qualified customers for new vehicle sales that are financed by Honda and Acura Financial Services.
- Starting May 1st through June 30th, 2020, all Acura dealers across Canada will provide first responders, healthcare professionals, and their spouses $1,000 towards the purchase of a 20MY Acura vehicle (excludes NSX and PMC models), when financed or leased through Acura Financial Services (AFS) as part of its First Responder and Healthcare Professional Appreciation Offer. For more information visit https://www.acura.ca.
- To learn more about these and other programs, please visit our website at https://www.honda.ca.
- If a vehicle requires repair or maintenance, pending provincial and local government recognition of transportation as an essential need, a local Honda/Acura dealer service operation should be open and able to provide service.
Honda Associate Support
- Honda’s utmost concern is the health and well-being of our associates.
- Honda resumed production at its powersports facility in South Carolina on Monday, May 4. Honda’s Canadian and U.S. auto plants will resume production during the week of May 11.
- The vast majority of Honda associates are working remotely from home. In-office activity is limited to essential activities only.
- For those essential associates working in Honda facilities, the company is taking additional steps to support social distancing and other health and safety guidelines. These measures may vary by location, but include limiting physical gathering, maintaining social distancing to the extent feasible, and adhering to the government recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting our sites.
- Travel restrictions:
- Honda is prohibiting all international travel due to the latest advisories from government official with exceptions for critical need.
- Honda is prohibiting all non-essential domestic travel within each country in North America.
- Only business essential visitors are allowed to access each Honda facility with pre-approval from management.
Marketing/Social Media
- Honda and Acura have adjusted marketing and social media efforts reflective of the challenges facing its customers.
- Honda is dedicated to supporting those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes highlighting the support Honda is providing to the community in the form of contributions to food banks and meal programs, support for healthcare providers and the virtual volunteer efforts of Honda associates.
- Honda and Acura are reminding customers how the brands are here to help during these challenging times in a series of new television and digital ad spots.
Due to the fast-changing nature of this situation, Honda will continue to provide updates on our business impacts and actions on Hondanews.ca.
