MAM
GM bets big on Man-U sponsorship, drops from Super Bowl
MUMBAI: General Motors has entered into a five-year sponsorship deal with EPL club Manchester United as it seeks to ride on the global appeal of the club that has an estimated 659 million fans worldwide.
GM‘s strategy behind associating with Man-U as official automotive partner through its car brand Chevrolet is part of the auto major‘s marketing strategy to make the brand into a global icon.
The new strategy follows the auto major‘s decision to go without advertising in next year‘s Super Bowl games of National Football League and halt paid advertising on Facebook as it seeks to adopt cost effective marketing platforms in order to build its brand.
What also prompted GM‘s decision to pull out of Super Bowl advertising is the fact that the competition has limited appeal beyond American shores which doesn‘t fit into its new marketing strategy of reaching out to global audience.
Man-U, on the other hand, is by far the most popular football club in the world and is adding new fans every year particularly in emerging markets like China and India, which are key markets for GM.
General Motors Global CMO Joel Ewanick said, “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 center of everything we do.”
Chevrolet is pledging that fans will be at the heart of its sponsorship with a constant focus on bringing the club supporters and football fans around the world closer to the game than ever before.
Manchester United CEO 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.”
Brands
Hyundai Venue crosses 1 lakh bookings, adds HX8 Diesel AT variant
New top-spec automatic diesel trim brings ventilated seats, OTA updates and paddle shifters.
MUMBAI: Hyundai Venue just hit the jackpot and upgraded the prize because when you cross 1 lakh bookings, you don’t just celebrate, you throw in paddle shifters and ventilated seats for the ride. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) announced that the all-new Hyundai Venue has achieved 1 lakh bookings, cementing its strong position in the compact SUV segment. To mark the milestone and further enhance customer choice, the company introduced the new HX8 Diesel Automatic (AT) variant.
The HX8 Diesel AT is powered by the proven U2 1.5L CRDi diesel engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It adds a host of premium comfort, safety and convenience features, including:
- Ventilated front seats
- Dual-tone leatherette seats with VENUE branding
- Electric 4-way driver seat adjust
- Controller Over-the-Air (OTA) updates
- Hyundai Bluelink connected car technology
- Electric parking brake with auto hold
- Rear disc brakes
- Ambient lighting on crash pad and central console
- Drive mode select (Eco, Normal, Sport)
- Traction control modes (Sand, Mud, Snow)
- Paddle shifters
HMIL, managing director & CEO Tarun Garg said, “We are delighted that the new Hyundai Venue has crossed 1 lakh bookings, reaffirming the strong trust Indian customers place in our brand. The introduction of the new HX8 Diesel Automatic variant further strengthens the Venue lineup, offering customers the perfect blend of diesel efficiency, torque-rich performance and effortless convenience.”
Backed by Hyundai’s extensive sales and service network, the Venue continues to appeal to buyers seeking a feature-rich, comfortable and future-ready compact SUV. The new variant reinforces HMIL’s focus on delivering advanced technology, safety, comfort and value while adapting to evolving customer preferences.
In a segment where bookings are the real horsepower, Hyundai isn’t just counting milestones, it’s handing drivers an automatic upgrade that makes every journey feel like the victory lap.
