WARWICK, U.K. — Delphi has become the Official Automotive Technology Partner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The partnership aligns Delphi with what is widely regarded as one of the most challenging motorsports competitions in the world. The company says it will give Delphi valuable marketing assets to showcase its products and service solutions and promote the capabilities of its rapidly expanding Delphi Service Centre network.
“At Delphi, we live and breathe automotive technology and, for us, racing epitomizes the very high, extreme durability standards we strive for every day,” said Francisco “Frank” Ordoñez, president, Delphi Product and Service Solutions. “The WRC shares these very same values, making this a great strategic fit for Delphi. The partnership reinforces our commitment to motorsport and gives us a solid platform on which to build our profile worldwide.”
Sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the championship pits cars and drivers in a series of multi day events through some of the toughest and most varied conditions on the planet. In 2011 drivers and the likes of Citroën, Ford and MINI, will compete in rallies in 13 countries across Europe, Central and South America, Australasia and the Middle East.
As an official partner, Delphi will have access to valuable branding and marketing rights at races throughout the season. This includes the Delphi logo on Championship marketing material and documentation, as well as race infrastructure such as stage and service park banners and arches. This will provide extensive global TV exposure for Delphi, with the WRC consistently recording a cumulative audience of more than 550 million in more than 140 territories. Delphi also will feature prominently, on the championship’s official website – wrc.com – shortlisted for “Sports Website of the Year” at the 2011 Sport Industry Awards, and in the WRC’s rapidly expanding social media channels.
“This is an exciting partnership for DPSS,” said Carrie Wright, vice president, global brand and communications, Delphi Product and Service Solutions. “The sponsorship will provide a solid, high-visibility platform to increase our global awareness, while helping to drive sales through the distribution chain. We know that our customers are passionate about motorsport, and in particular the WRC, and this will form the basis of our marketing efforts in Europe in 2011, including promotions, and hospitality at key races.”
Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport, the WRC promoter, added, "Delphi’s commitment to delivering real-world innovations that make vehicles smarter and safer, as well as more powerful and efficient is a natural fit with the championship. With their OE technology and service expertise, the association with Delphi is very important to us. We are delighted to welcome Delphi to our family of sponsors."
