GM Helps Flooded Europe
FOR RELEASE: August 23, 2002GM Contributes To Flood Relief Efforts In Europe
World's Largest Automaker Uses The Internet To Provide Assistance
DETROIT - General Motors announced today a contribution of $50,000 to aid in the flood relief efforts in Europe. Areas hardest hit include Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. More than 100 people are confirmed dead. Cleanup and rebuilding costs are estimated to reach $20 billion. Some estimate the cost of the damage in Germany alone to be nearly $10 billion.
GM will use its disaster relief program, GM Global Aid, to provide up-to-the-minute news and information on the relief efforts. Visitors to the site may also make monetary contributions to assist in the relief and rebuilding efforts in Europe. The mission of GM Global Aid is to provide immediate assistance when disaster strikes any place in the world.
"The process of rebuilding and recovering from this devastating flood will be long and difficult for the people of Europe," said Rod Gillum, GM Foundation Chairman and GM Vice President, Corporate Relations and Diversity. "I encourage everyone to take a few moments to log onto the Internet and join in the humanitarian effort to assist those in Europe who have lost so much."
GM Global Aid is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. GM Global Aid is accessible on the Internet at:
In addition to the GM contribution, several GM subsidiaries in Europe have been working to aid victims of the flood. Opel Austria, has set up a program with local dealers - people who lost their car in the flood can borrow an Opel vehicle for up to three weeks without being charged. Adam Opel AG in Germany is offering a zero-interest financing initiative for vehicle owners who lost their car through the floods and desire to acquire a new vehicle.
"Our employees and dealers have shown a tremendous willingness to help," states Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman and Managing Director of Adam Opel AG. "The support from our mother company GM emphasizes that solidarity with people in an emergency situation knows no borders."
Donations for the flood relief efforts will be securely received, processed and distributed to the United Way International. GM employees who make contributions will have their dollars matched, once the initial GM commitment has been exceeded. GM employees may also access GM Global Aid through GM's internal web site.
Since its inception almost two years ago, GM Global Aid has facilitated the donation of more than $4 million to organizations worldwide. General Motors and the GM Foundation initiated the revolutionary disaster relief program in late 2000 so that GM employees and the American public could provide assistance with the click of a button.
"By implementing GM Global Aid, General Motors has increased its ability to reach out to communities around the world," said Gillum, "The response of the GM family to this disaster has been overwhelming. From our initial financial support, to our employees' donations of time and money, to our dealers and divisions contribution of products and services, our mission is to help these European communities regroup and rebuild."
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
