As the major sponsor of Australian Open 2017, Kia Motors handed over a fleet of 110 official tournament vehicles to Tennis Australia. Executives from Kia Motors Australia and Tennis Australia attended the ceremony. The special guest was the brand’s global ambassador and former Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal. This year celebrates Kia’s 16th consecutive sponsorship of the Australian Open. The company will roll out various on- and off-line programs for tennis fans around the world.
“We are delighted once again to accept the fleet of Kia vehicles. They help keeping the Australian Open moving smoothly over the next few weeks. The cars connect visiting fans from around the world to the biggest annual sporting event in January,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“It’s a huge logistical exercise to move all our players, officials, media and staff around Melbourne during the tournament. And every year this is achieved thanks to Kia’s reliability and support.”
This year’s fleet of vehicles includes 50 Carnival MPVs, 40 Sorento CUVs and 20 Optima mid-size sedans. They will ensure smooth and safe transportation for Australian Open 2017. Tennis superstar and Kia global brand ambassador Rafael Nadal handed over the ceremonial key to fleet to Tennis Australia.
Over the past 15 years, Kia Motors’ courtesy fleet has clocked up close to five million kilometers in tens of thousands of journeys carrying champions and journeymen alike in comfort and safety
This year the Kia courtesy fleet will continue that tradition. More than 200 volunteers drive the cars and they expect to clock up more than 400,000 kilometers.
As part of the vehicle handover ceremony, Kia also introduced its new Stinger sports sedan. The model had its world premiere last week at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Also unveiled during the ceremony was a giant Kia tennis racquet. It will be on display throughout the tournament for fan interaction at Melbourne Park. Inspired by the theme ‘Everyone has the Power to Surprise’, Kia invites visitors and fans at Melbourne Park to write their names on the racquet strings.
“The Australian Open is Kia’s longest running major sports sponsorship, and as a proud sponsor we’re delighted to be a driving force behind the growth of the tournament, not only by providing safe, stylish and comfortable transportation for players and participants, but also by engaging with tennis fans worldwide with various on & off-line campaigns to share the excitement we are about to witness over next few weeks,” said Bryan Cho, Vice President of the Overseas Marketing Group at Kia Motors Corporation.
