Lexington, Ky. - Ford Motor Company will provide courtesy vehicles to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as an Official Automobile of the Games.
While Ford assembles vehicles in Kentucky (Louisville), Toyota's Georgetown assembly plant is only a stone's throw from the site of the international equestrian competition. Toyota officials say the carmaker had considered a significant WEG sponsorship presence but discussions concerning an appropriate level of support were scuttled by the recession. Matters grew all the more complicated with Toyota's recall crisis.
Games organizers announced today that Ford will provide 12-passenger vans, 4WD diesel pick-up trucks, and full-size 4-door sedans to help transport teams, staff, officials, and VIPs during the 16-day event.
"We couldn't be more excited that Ford has joined on as a sponsor of the 2010 Games," said Terry Johnson, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Games. "As one of the most well-known and respected brands in the world and a company with a deep Kentucky presence, Ford's involvement will further enhance the breadth of this event."
Ford Motors operates an assembly line in Louisville.
Also holding a deep Kentucky presence is Toyota with its giant assembly plant a quick trot from the Kentucky Horse Park. " We had an interest in pursuing a sponsorship for the equestrian games," said spokesman Rick Hesterberg, "Typically, the Toyota way of doing that is to do it significantly, not just looking at it from the Kentucky plant but getting our Toyota Motor Sales folks involved and our New York office - getting everybody on the same page." Hesterberg said it took time to bring the carmaker's west coast sales headquarters up to speed on the size and significance of the World Equestrian Games.
"About the time when we were approaching some serious discussion about what that level of sponsorship should be the economy turned sour on us and just really thwarted those efforts. We had to look internally and see what we could do to maintain - shutting plants down but keeping team members working was our focus. We definitely had an interest. It's just unfortunate, the timing of the economy really kept us from getting involved at a level we'd like to."
Hesterberg said there are discussions underway about purchasing a block of tickets. Ticket sales have been weaker then projected.
Ford joins more than forty businesses, including title sponsor Alltech, in supporting the Kentucky Horse Park event scheduled for Sept. 25-Oct. 10.
The sponsors provide funding, in-kind products and/or services or combinations of both.
The 2010 Games will feature eight world championships in equestrian sport and are being held for the first time in the United States from September 25-October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.