* The second-biggest item of expenditure for French households, cars are vital for 86% of them for professional reasons

* Fondation PSA and Solidarauto are launching the “my car, my budget, my safety” project

* It will feature 30 informative workshops, led by car repair professionals

“Lack of mobility can quickly have serious social and financial consequences for some people. That is why we have jointly developed this prevention program in partnership with Solidarauto. Beneficiaries are given the information they need and assisted in getting their cars regularly serviced in social garages at an acceptable cost, thereby extending the life of their vehicle and ensuring they can get around safely,” said Karine Hillaireau, General Delegate of Fondation PSA.

“Awareness will be raised through informative workshops held by car repair professionals in Solidarauto garages. Participants will learn how to make big savings on their car budget: the essential vehicle checks, the impact on key parts of not getting the car serviced, how to check the oil gauge and more. The first people to register will win a free check-up for their car at a Solidarauto garage,” said Patrick Kosman, deputy chair of the Solidarauto Federation.

The “my car, my budget, my safety” project was born of the following observation: people in disadvantaged situations do not get their car regularly serviced, for lack of money and information. These people slip completely through the net of prevention campaigns promoting vehicle servicing conducted by classic dealership networks. That leaves them prey to unavoidable and urgent repairs, which they can’t afford to have done.

Each year, with the support of local councils and public authorities, ten workshops will be held in busy areas or in city centers: first in Tours, then in Rouen with Solidarauto-Rouen-Métropole and then in the Besançon metropolitan area with Solidarauto-25. Drivers will be given “check‑up vouchers” for Solidarauto social garages in the region.