Sport Industry Group

United confirms Chevrolet partnership- 1 Jun 2012 00:00:00

Chevrolet has been confirmed as an official partner of Manchester United, in a five-year deal announced in Shanghai, replacing Audi as the Premier League club's official automotive partner.

The move by the General Motors car brand comes shortly after the US company announced it would stop advertising on Facebook and at next year's Super Bowl where commercial spots are expected to sell for up to $4m per 30 seconds.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: ‘Although part of two very different industries, Chevrolet and Manchester United share many of the same values.’

‘Like the club, it is steeped in history, having recently celebrated its centenary, and it has also grown to be a global brand, selling cars in more than 140 countries. Above all, it, too, strives to be the best in its field and I am delighted to welcome Chevrolet as our official automotive partner.’

The deal comes in a week that Manchester United was named the world’s most popular club, with a reported 659 million followers worldwide, following a global football follower survey carried out by market research agency, Kantar.

Richard Arnold, Manchester United commercial director added: ‘With 659 million United fans and followers around the world, the commitment that Chevrolet is making to football and its plans to bring these fans closer to our club is very exciting for us. This is also the first time we have teamed up with a US automotive partner and with the growing popularity of the club and English football in America, we are hoping the relationship will allow us to further expand our fan base in the country.’

General Motors global chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick commented: ‘Manchester United has some of the most passionate supporters of any sporting club in the world. The Chevrolet family is proud to partner with Manchester United and is fully committed to putting these fans at the centre of everything we do.’