Chinese sponsor for Nemechek
Haier America (pronounced Hi-er), a division of the Chinese-owned Haier Group, has joined the Ginn Racing team of sponsors. A leading manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronics, Haier will sponsor Joe Nemechek's Ginn Racing entry in Saturday night's Nextel Cup race in Darlington S.C.
The Haier Group, ranked by Forbes magazine as the most reputable company in China and 25th overall in the world, was founded in 1984 in Qingdao, China. The company's products are manufactured in 16 countries, including the United States. Haier's U.S. manufacturing plant is located in Camden, S.C., approximately 30 miles from Darlington Raceway.
"We're proud to start our NASCAR sponsorship at Darlington Raceway, which is near our operations and manufacturing headquarters in Camden," said Dave Parks, chief operating officer of Haier America. "We believe the NASCAR fan is also a Haier customer. This is a great opportunity to further enhance our branding by being affiliated with the revitalized Ginn Racing team and driver Joe Nemechek."
Jay Frye, CEO and general manager of Ginn Racing, said of the new partnership, "Each year NASCAR is becoming more of a global sport and we are very proud to have formed a partnership with a leading international company such as Haier. This is Haier's first venture in motorsports and we are honored that this prestigious international company is teaming with Ginn Racing."
The No. 13 Haier Chevrolet will make its debut during Friday's practice session at Darlington Raceway. Saturday's Cup race will be televised on FOX, 7 p.m. Eastern.
About Haier Group / Haier America
As the U.S. Sales and Marketing division of the multinational Haier Group, Haier America is dedicated to serve American consumers with exciting products that are innovative, stylish, and high quality. Haier Group was founded in 1984 in Qingdao, China. From a factory that only produced a single model of refrigerator to the world's leading white goods home appliance manufacturer, Haier has grown to a company ranked 1st among China's Top 10 Global Brands (by Financial Times in 2005) and 86th among the World's 500 Most Influential Brands (by World Brand Lab in 2006). As one of the world's leading appliance and electronics manufacturers, Haier manufactures home appliances and consumer electronics that all work towards the same goal: to bring comfort and convenience to the homes of people in over 100 countries worldwide.
Formed in 1999, Haier America markets and manufactures leading product categories such refrigeration, home comfort, wine cellars, laundry, dishwashers, and more. In the past few years, Haier America has successfully established retail and service networks across the United States. In addition, a $40 million, 110-acre Industrial Park was built in Camden, South Carolina that produces American-made refrigeration products for U.S. consumers. Haier also has a strong sales force nationwide, bringing products to markets throughout the United States, Canada, and South America.
Haier, known for innovation and high quality, plans to push forward to continue on its path as a driving force in the appliance industry, as well as a household name in America. In April 2006, Haier America and the National Basketball Association joined together in a marketing partnership. This alliance will bring more excitement to the market and consumers in the United States.
05/09/07 Three weeks after chairman Brian France led a NASCAR delegation to China to explore business and racing initiatives in the country, the Nextel Cup Series will have a Chinese-owned sponsor in Saturday's race. Haier America, a division of home-appliance maker Haier Group, will be on the hood of Ginn Racing's No. 13 Chevrolet driven by Joe Nemechek. USA Today