Vauxhall drive off into the sunset
VAUXHALL will end a sevenyear sponsorship deal with England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when its current agreement expires after the 2018 World Cup.
The car manufacturer has been the leading partner of the Home Nations since 2011 but revealed in a statement issued to Press Association Sport that all four links will be severed next year.
England announced their 2014 World Cup squad at Vauxhall’s headquarters in Luton, with the British car maker playing a major role in media activities and across social media platforms.
That was especially so at last summer’s European Championships where England, Wales and Northern Ireland all competed.
Vauxhall said in its statement that it had “agreed to explore other opportunities to continue its relationship with the FAs beyond the conclusion of the existing contracts”.
In the statement Vauxhall also spoke of the pride of working alongside all four nations, and said it is now looking to move resources into other avenues.
“Vauxhall Motors today announced that it will be stepping down from its role as lead sponsor of the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland football teams beyond the World Cup in 2018,” it read.
“Vauxhall has, however, agreed to explore other opportunities to continue its relationship with the FAs beyond the conclusion of the existing contracts.
“Since 2011, Vauxhall has been very proud to be the lead sponsor for each of the four Home Nations football associations, the first time this has ever been undertaken by a major organisation.
“During this time, Vauxhall has enjoyed excellent relations with all the associations and the partnerships have proved extremely successful in delivering its original targeted strategic objectives.
“Vauxhall will now concentrate its marketing resources on communicating the wealth of new, innovative and technologically advanced models that will be launched over the coming months and years.”
The four respective associations are now expected to be tasked with securing additional sponsorship from next summer to add to the other commercial deals currently in place.