(May 9, 2010) NASHVILLE -- Nissan will give as much as $300,000 in cash to the American Red Cross and a Nashville-area food bank in response to floods that destroyed homes and businesses around the city, Automotive News reports.

Nissan, which is headquartered outside of Nashville in Franklin, Tenn., also said it will allow delayed finance payments on Nissan vehicles for owners who were affected by the floods in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. In addition, the automaker said it will offer employee-pricing on auto purchases to flood victims who have lost their vehicles in the disaster, which was triggered by record-breaking rains last weekend.

Early figures estimate property losses of more than $1 billion from the floods

Nissan's donations consist of $200,000 in cash to the American Red Cross of Middle Tennessee, $50,000 in cash to Second Harvest Food Bank, and a pledge to match employee contributions to the two agencies up to a total of $50,000.

Nissan directly employs about 5,000 people in Middle Tennessee.