Hyundai! In what is a very clever move, Hyundai Motors in North America has announced that it will defer any payments due on its cars owned by US federal employees financed though Hyundai Finance America. More than 700,000 workers have been forced into taking unpaid leave by the current government shutdown.
John Krafcik, chief executive of Hyundai Motor America said; "We recognize the impact on family budgets that the furlough will drive". He went on to say that the offer to help the federal employees was an addition to the Hyundai Assurance programme that is aimed at "helping workers at a time when they most need it".
"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," Mr Krafcik said.
Naturally many of its customers will breathe a small bit of relief, and any monies that Hyundai Finance America may be down as a result of this move will no doubt be outweighed by the enhanced consumer sentiment.