Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast and the global leader in long-distance triathlon IRONMAN announced recently they have signed a comprehensive global partnership for VinFast to become the first-ever naming rights partner of the IRONMAN US Series from 2022. The signing ceremony was held on Saturday in the southern province of Nha Trang during the Vingroup Elite Vietnam Tour 3.
Under the said agreement, the EV maker will also become the title partner for the 2022 IRONMAN® World Championship and the 2023 IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship, each continuing through 2025, as well as the Exclusive Electric Vehicle Partner of the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 Series in the US, Europe, and Asia through 2025.
This means that VinFast will get massive exposure with a highly visible brand association at IRONMAN events around the globe as the naming rights partner for the VinFast IRONMAN US Series, title partner of the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship, and a premier partner.
Additionally, VinFast will be the exclusive automotive vehicle, electric vehicle, electric scooter, and electric bus partner, providing electric vehicles, including scooters, cars, and buses for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events.
More than the brand association and optics, the partnership will allow VinFast to directly tap potential customers onsite at IRONMAN races with opportunities for participants and fans to experience a next-generation EV car through test drives and another experiential programming.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vingroup vice chairwoman and VinFast global CEO, said in a prepared statement that they are honored to be a premier partner of IRONMAN & IRONMAN 70.3 Series, adding they share the spirit that “anything is possible.”
“We are proud to be part of the moments that push people beyond their boundaries, and beyond what many have thought is humanly possible. We are certain that our electric mobility will strongly underpin the journeys of IRONMAN athletes around the world to be boundless.”
VinFast has made efforts towards the goal to make premium electric vehicles attainable to everyone by providing sustainable transportation, exemplifying the journey of champions is one of many efforts, and of course, contributing to the global electric vehicle revolution, for a greener and more sustainable future.
Andrew Messick, president and CEO of the IRONMAN Group, said they are as delighted as VinFast to have developed a comprehensive and far-reaching partnership, inclusive of our pinnacle IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events.
"We value the way VinFast pushes the boundaries forward through their smart and eco-friendly electric vehicles to create a sustainable future for all. This is much like the spirit of IRONMAN and our athletes to break through and surpass preconceived boundaries."
With more than 40 IRONMAN triathlon races and 90 IRONMAN 70.3 triathlons worldwide, hundreds of thousands of athletes from around attempt to qualify for the respective IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship which is known for their grueling course, challenging race conditions, and international media coverage.