SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. (KRX:006400), a global leader in energy solutions and electronic materials, has inked an official premium partnership contract with BMW Motorsport for the prestigious DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), a leading motorsport championship in Europe.
Under the deal, the car, which names 'SAMSUNG BMW M4 DTM' driven by Maxime Martin, bore the logo of Samsung SDI in the DTM to be held in Hockenheimring, Germany from May 1-3.
Samsung SDI’s sponsorship deal with BMW in connection with the top-line German motorsport is designed to achieve two goals. First, Samsung SDI’s sports marketing sponsorship in the DTM -- where BMW Motorsport is focusing its resources to race ahead -- is expected to cement amicable relations with BMW Group and strengthen long-term strategic partnership. Currently, Samsung SDI is providing high-powered batteries to BMW electric vehicles, i3 and i8, as an exclusive supplier. In July 2014, Samsung SDI also signed a major EV battery supply deal with BMW, agreeing to boost the supply of battery cells to a level valued at several billion won in the coming years.
Second, Samsung SDI is expected to enhance its brand recognition in the global automotive industry with the latest sponsorship deal. The DTM is drawing keen media attention from around the world as Germany’s top three automobile brands – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi -- showcase their latest automotive technologies during the high-profile racing competition. Many companies across the world view the DTM as a crucial marketing battleground. Given that Samsung SDI has already secured top-notch EV battery technologies, the company’s sponsorship with BMW for the DTM is aimed at strengthening its marketing competitiveness.
“The sponsorship contract has strengthened the partnership with BMW, while paving the way for enhancing Samsung SDI’s brand recognition in the global automotive industry,” says Jeong-wook Kim, the Senior Vice President of marketing team in Automotive & Energy Battery Division at Samsung SDI.
