South Korean carmakers Kia Motors Corp and Hyundai Motor Co have agreed to become top sponsors of the 2008 European Football Championship. An agreement was signed by Kia Motors President Chung Eui-sun and Philippe Magraff, chief CEO of UEFA marketing and media management, during an opening of Kia's first European plant near the Slovak city of Zilina, the company said in a statement. Kia Motors is an affiliate of Hyundai, South Korea's largest carmaker. Financial details were not disclosed. The statement only said the carmakers will provide official vehicles to be used during the 7-29 June 2008 Euro Cup tournament in Switzerland and Austria.
"This sponsorship, fittingly signed on this historic day for Kia Motors, will give a big boost to our brand awareness, not only here in Europe but also among the huge audience of football fans throughout the world," Chung said. As part of the deal, the carmakers also got the right to participate as official sponsors in other UEFA competitions, including the European U-21 Championships in 2007 and 2009, the European Futsal Championship in 2007 and the Women's European Championship in 2009, the statement said.
"This sponsorship, fittingly signed on this historic day for Kia Motors, will give a big boost to our brand awareness, not only here in Europe but also among the huge audience of football fans throughout the world," Chung said. As part of the deal, the carmakers also got the right to participate as official sponsors in other UEFA competitions, including the European U-21 Championships in 2007 and 2009, the European Futsal Championship in 2007 and the Women's European Championship in 2009, the statement said.