Hyundai deferring car payments for furloughed federal workers

Tue, 01 Oct 2013

Since the US government shut down early this morning, more than 800,000 federal employees could be furloughed without pay until a deal is reached to start the government back up. To help affected employees cope with the temporary layoffs, Hyundai is expanding its Assurance program to defer all of their auto loan or lease payments until they're called back to work.

"We recognize the impact on family budgets that the furlough will drive," says John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. The automaker also says it will allow furloughed employees to buy new cars during October with help from a 90-day payment deferral.

We're sure Hyundai's act of goodwill relieves some of the stress that furloughed Hyundai owners and their families are experiencing. Check out the press release below.

HYUNDAI ADDS NEW DIMENSION TO ASSURANCE PROGRAM WITH NEW FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PAYMENT DEFERRAL PLAN

COSTA MESA, Calif., October 1, 2013 – Hyundai Motor America today announces the latest addition to its Assurance program with the launch of a new payment deferral program aimed at helping federal employees furloughed during the government shutdown. Under the plan, Hyundai will defer all auto loan and lease payments during the shutdown for current Hyundai owners who are furloughed.

"We recognize the impact on family budgets that the furlough will drive," said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Like we did almost four years ago when we launched Hyundai Assurance, this is our way of saying 'We've got your back' during this uncertain time."

Current owners in the Hyundai family will be provided relief from payments for as long as they are out of work. Furloughed employees who wish to buy a car in October will be offered a 90-day payment deferral.

It is estimated that more than 800,000 workers will not get paid during the shutdown. Like the original Hyundai Assurance job loss protection program, the federal employee payment deferral plan is aimed at helping workers at a time when they most need it.

By Damon Lowney