Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect additional wildfire relief effort contributions from automakers.
The deadly wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles since early January have left a path of destruction, scorching tens of thousands of acres and leveling hundreds of structures across the metropolitan region, which forced thousands to evacuate.
But in the wake of the disaster, aid has poured in from around the country, the Los Angeles Times reported. The aid also comes from some of the world’s leading automakers.
General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota are among the companies that have provided a range of assistance to those impacted by the fires, including donating to relief efforts and assisting individuals with vehicle loan and lease payments. Additional automakers have answered calls to support relief efforts.
BMW Group
BMW Group has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to support California wildfire relief efforts, the automaker announced Thursday. The company said it is a long-standing partner of the Red Cross.
“The BMW Group has very close ties to California and especially in the Los Angeles area where many of our associates live and work in our regional offices and our design center, in addition to many dealers in the community,” Sebastian Mackensen, president & CEO, BMW of North America, said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the California wildfires, the firefighters who are giving their all, and the organizations who are working so hard to support them all.”
Mercedes-Benz USA
In an email to Automotive Dive, Mercedes-Benz said that it donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation in response to the crisis.
The automaker is also providing affected customers with access to in-car notification services to aid in navigating hazardous areas impacted by the fire. These customers also will be eligible for 60-day payment deferrals.
Mercedes-Benz, which has facilities in Long Beach, Fontana and Sunnyvale, is also matching the donations of its employees by up to $200 to support organizations aiding in the wildlife relief efforts, the company said.
Ford Motor Co.
Ford Philanthropy, the charity arm of Ford Motor Co., awarded two grants to support critical relief needs, one to the Los Angeles Fire Department and another to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, the organization said in a LinkedIn post. Ford Philanthropy is also providing ongoing support to the American Red Cross, Feeding America and Team Rubicon, organizations that are active in the relief efforts.
Rivian
Rivian announced on X that it has deployed vehicles to support the delivery of relief supplies to impacted areas. Among the organizations aided by Rivian are the World Central Kitchen, Labelle Foundation, OpenClosit and SolarPunks.
The automaker is also providing free DC fast charging for Rivian owners though its Rivian Adventure Network sites located within 150 miles of Los Angeles. The company has chargers in San Bernardino, Buttonwillow, Barstow, Inyokern and Joshua Tree.
Lucid Motors
In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Lucid Motors said part of its relief efforts include offering free charging for all electric vehicle drivers at Lucid Studio and service locations in Beverly Hills, Costa Mesa, Torrance, Westfield Century City, Westfield UTC shopping center in San Diego and Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Newport Beach.
The automaker said it is providing additional resources as well, including employees volunteering with organizations delivering relief supplies.
GM Spokesman Kevin Kelly said in an email to Automotive Dive that the automaker is providing complimentary OnStar Assist Services for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC & Cadillac customers in California impacted by the wildfires.
“GM customers can push the blue OnStar button for information about the fires, receive routing assistance away from danger, and be connected with a loved one, even when phone lines are down,” he said. “The red button connects to immediate help from a live OnStar advisor for emergency assistance.
Honda donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in California. Honda Financial Services and Acura Financial Services are also offering payment extensions and lease deferrals to customers impacted by the disaster.
Hyundai and Genesis Motor America donated $100,000 to the Red Cross and another $100,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, one of the many organizations aiding evacuees, according to a Jan. 10 press release.
Hyundai Capital America, which includes Hyundai Motor Finance and Genesis Finance, is providing payment relief options for eligible customers, the company said in the release. The automaker also is offering those impacted $1,000 toward the purchase of a 2025 Hyundai or $2,000 toward the purchase of a 2025 Genesis through March 31.
Mazda Financial Services announced Jan. 9 it’s providing payment relief options to Mazda customers in the designated disaster areas, including deferred payments or payment extensions.
Kyle Bazemore, spokesman for Nissan Group of the Americas, said in an email to Automotive Dive that Nissan is extending employee pricing to individuals and businesses whose vehicles sustained damage in the disaster.
Toyota Motor North America contributes annually to disaster recovery nonprofits, the Red Cross and SBP, the automaker said in a Jan. 9 press release. Toyota and Lexus customers affected by the wildfires are eligible for financial relief options, including extensions and deferred lease payments, the company said in the release.
Toyota also is matching contributions made by its U.S.-based employees to the Red Cross, SBP and other eligible nonprofits aiding in the relief efforts
