Kia Motors Corporation announced today at its Australian Open 2013 vehicle handover ceremony that it will extend its agreement as the major sponsor of the Australian Open for an additional five years through to 2018. The new deal cements Kia as the longest running major sponsor of the event, with 17 continuous years of commitment to the first tennis Grand Slam® tournament of the year.

The sponsorship rights of the renewed agreement will remain largely the same, with a host of new marketing programs to be introduced by Kia at the Australian Open over the next five years. Kia will continue to supply more than 100 official tournament vehicles each year for the safe transportation of players, officials and visitors. In addition, branded and integrated on- and offline experiences, such as the interactive Grand Slam Oval fan area at Melbourne Park, the live site at Fed Square in Melbourne, 'Kia Fan of the Day' and 'Kia Fan of the Tournament' contests will continue to boost fan engagement and excitement.