Kia, Hyundai to sponsor Euro 2008

Korean auto manufacturers Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Corporation have become official sponsors of the UEFA European Football Championship to be held in 2008.

Kia, an affiliate of Hyundai, said the sponsorship will allow the company to promote its brand on perimeter boards around the stadiums and through official UEFA TV broadcast partners during Euro 2008. In addition, Kia will also provide official vehicles that will be used during the event.

Kia said it expects the sponsorship to boost its brand image and awareness across the European market. Financial terms of the sponsorship deal were not disclosed.

The partnership broadens Kia's sponsorship of football, which started with the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Korea/Japan and now includes official partnerships with FIFA until 2014 and the Chinese national men's and women's football teams.