Nissan sign Rio 2016 sponsorship deal as London 2012 disappointment forgotten

By Duncan Mackay

February 8 - Rio 2016 today claimed they had reached their sponsorship target of $570 million (£360 million/€430 million) after Nissan was unveiled as its fifth Tier One partner for the Olympics and Paralympics, two years after they were controversially overlooked for London 2012.

Nissan will provide 4,500 vehicles to transport athletes, officials and journalists during the Games, the first time they have been held in South America.

The Japanese manufacturer was overlooked by London 2012, who chose BMW, despite a claim from Nissan who claimed that its electric-car fleet would have been a better choice.

Nissan is the sixth domestic sponsor for Rio 2016.

The others are Bradesco, Bradesco Seguros, Claro and Embratel.

The sole Tier Two sponsor is Ernst & Young Terco.

"I am very happy with this historical achievement," said Carlos Nuzman (pictured left), the President of Rio 2016, after revealing that it had achieved the sponsorship goal that it had set itself.

"This partnership demonstrates the value of the Rio 2016 brand and the strength and attractiveness of the Brazilian consumer market.

"Against this backdrop and after six months of negotiations that also involved other applicants, Nissan submitted a proposal that ensures a consistent mix of products, services and financial backing, proving to be the ideal automotive partner for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games."

Nissan said it has a plan to support local organisers' goals, including a programme to back young athletes, promote the Games' legacy and marketing ideas "to spread the Olympic experience."

Nissan, the country's sixth largest automaker in sales early this year and which has a plant in Parana, announced last the construction of a new factory in Rio de Janeiro with the capacity to produce up to 200,000 vehicles and which is scheduled to open in 2014.

It has set a target of raising its market share in Brazil from 3.3 per cent to five per cent by 2016.

"Our multiple connections with Brazil are deep," Nissan President and chief executive Carlos Ghosn.

"In 2014 we open a new world-class manufacturing plant in Resende, in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

"As a showcase for the energy and vision of Brazil, the Olympic Games are a natural fit for Nissan.

"We look forward to contributing towards making the Rio 2016 Games a world-class event for the city, state and country."

Nissan will also provide a wide range of services, such as driver training and expertise for logistics solutions to meet the complexity of the event.

After the Olympics and Paralympics the vehicle fleet of 4,500 will be donated to the city.

"Counting on a partner that helps us tackle operational challenges in a vital area such as transport and also assists us in delivering accessible and sustainable Games is a privilege Nissan is giving us with this agreement," said Leonardo Gryner, the chief executive of Rio 2016. 

"We are looking forward to starting our collaboration."

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