• by Tanya Gazdik , March 2, 2022

Volkswagen Group, Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz are all each donating one million euros ($1.1 million) to support those affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Stellantis has put in place a 24/7 dedicated support team to actively monitor the health and safety of its 71 employees based in Ukraine. At this moment, they are all safe, according to the automaker. 

“Stellantis condemns violence and aggression and, in this time of unprecedented pain, our priority is the health and safety of our Ukrainian employees and families,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in a statement. “An aggression that shook a world order, already unsettled by uncertainty, has been launched. The Stellantis community, made of 170 nationalities, looks with dismay as civilians flee the country. Even if the scale of causalities is not yet apparent, the human toll will be unbearable.”

Many manufacturers, including General Motors, Volvo, Volkswagen, Daimler Truck and Ford Motor Company, have suspended operations in Russia. The country is the eighth-largest car market in the world, with sales of 1,666,780 vehicles last year, according to AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee.

Hyundai Motor Co.’s shuttering Monday of its manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, was due to the global components shortage and not Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. The company, which is the third largest car manufacturer in Russia, says it plans to resume production March 9.

Ford is flying the Ukrainian flag at its world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. Although the company does not have significant operations in the Ukraine, it does have “a strong contingent” of Ukraine nationals working at Ford operations around the world. 

Ford CEO Jim Farley tweeted March 1: “We at Ford are deeply concerned about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the safety of the Ukrainian people. Effective immediately, Ford is suspending our limited operations in Russia.” The company is also supporting the Global Giving Ukraine Relief Fund with a $100,000 donation. 

Tesla is making superchargers free for people fleeing Ukraine. The chargers, which can be used by both Tesla and non-Tesla electric vehicles, are located in four cities in bordering Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, according to Electrek, which cited an email to local owners.