Auto dealers mobilise fleets for Hurricane Melissa relief

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which ravaged the island’s western parishes on October 28, 2025, Jamaica’s automotive sector has shifted gears from commerce to humanitarian aid. With catastrophic flooding and wind damage isolating communities in Westmoreland and St Elizabeth, major dealerships have deployed their rugged inventory to support relief operations, proving that mobility is a critical asset in national recovery.

KIG Supports World Central Kitchen

Kingston Industrial Garage (KIG) Ltd has responded to the national emergency by bolstering the logistics of food distribution. The dealership provided a fleet of vehicles, including the Ford Ranger XLT, to essential workers and international aid organisations navigating the island’s compromised infrastructure.

Among the beneficiaries of this mobility support is the non-profit organisation World Central Kitchen (WCK), led by founder Chef José Andres. The organisation has been instrumental in feeding displaced residents across the island. In a notable logistical operation, Chef Andres was observed traversing the St Catherine to St Mary corridor, pausing at the iconic Flat Bridge in the Bog Walk Gorge – a critical artery that often faces closure during severe weather events.

Navigating the post-hurricane terrain alongside Chef Andres in the KIG-sponsored Ford Ranger XLT were two prominent culinary figures assisting the relief effort: Jamaican executive chef and culinary consultant Haleem Card and Canadian Chef Mathieu Masson-Duceppe. Masson-Duceppe, known as the winner of Chopped Canada Season 2 and executive chef of Montreal establishments Jellyfish Crudo et Charbon and Pubjelly, joined the team to prepare and deliver meals to isolated families.

The utilisation of these four-wheel-drive vehicles has allowed relief teams to ford flooded roadways and navigate the debris-strewn parochial roads of many parishes, ensuring that aid reaches the most vulnerable populations.

New Utility Vehicles Repurposed for Aid

Similarly, the disaster response has seen immediate involvement from ATL Automotive Group, which pivoted the local debut of its latest utility vehicle into a direct support mission. The dealership utilised the all-new Kia Tasman, originally slated for a standard commercial launch, to facilitate restoration works at the King’s Primary and Infant School in Longhill District, White House, Westmoreland.

Rather than a showroom display, the pickup truck was pressed into service transporting essential tools, construction materials, and relief supplies to the storm-battered institution. The initiative saw collaboration between the Kia Jamaica sales team, the wider ATL Automotive Group, and the Sandals Foundation. Local residents and parents joined the effort, utilising the vehicle’s payload capacity to clear debris and transport goods to areas rendered inaccessible to standard saloons.

This operational shift highlights the practical application of the vehicle in a crisis, serving the community of Whitehouse during a period of acute need.