Kia «will electrify» 2025 Australian Open with electric and hybrid vehicles
Kia «will electrify» 2025 Australian Open with electric and hybrid vehicles
19 February, 2025
- Kia is supplying a fleet of 130 vehicles to the AO25 tournament organisers, comprised entirely of award-winning fully electric and hybrid models.
- Kia will reaffirm its commitment to electrification by showcasing EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9 models during the tournament.
- New brand campaigns “What’s Your Next Move?” and “What Moves You?” to engage fans globally and locally.
At Kia Corporation, we are once again supporting the Australian Open – the prestigious Grand Slam tennis event in the Asia-Pacific region – by supplying a fleet of official vehicles for the tournament, including the fully electric EV5, EV6 and EV9 models, as well as the hybrid Carnival HEV, Sorento HEV and Sportage HEV models.
As a Major Partner of the AO25, we held an official vehicle handover ceremony at Melbourne Park on 8 January, attended by Damien Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia; Craig Tiley, Australian Open Tournament Director; and Ash Barty, Australian Open Champion. After 24 years of support, we remain the longest-standing partner.
We are introducing a fleet of 130 vehicles, comprising 25 EV9s, 15 EV5s, 10 EV6s, 30 Carnival HEVs, 25 Sorento HEVs and 25 Sportage HEVs. This is the first year that all tournament vehicles are electrified, either fully electric or hybrid. The vehicles will provide players, match officials and VIPs with safe, comfortable and sustainable transport around Melbourne during AO25 from 12-26 January.
“Our partnership with the Australian Open has always been about pushing boundaries and inspiring movement and this year we are thrilled to push the boundaries even further with our electrified fleet,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia. “By showcasing our EV and hybrid models, we are reaffirming our commitment to sustainable mobility whilst supporting one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.”
“Through our AO25 campaigns, immersive customer experiences and partnerships with Tennis Australia, we aim to celebrate the spirit of progress and encourage people to embrace their ‘next moves’. Our electric vehicles are at the heart of this journey, embodying the future of mobility and connecting fans around the world to the energy of this magnificent event.”
We are using the opportunity of AO25 to underline our dedication to making fully electric and hybrid cars accessible to more people, with the official fleet of vehicles and a range of fan engagements. The full range of EVs (EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9) will be on display during the tournament and we will offer fans the opportunity to learn about EV technology at key touchpoints around Melbourne Park.
“We are delighted to continue our close relationship with Kia, the longest-standing partner of the Australian Open and one of the longest-running sporting sponsorships in Australia,” said Craig Tiley, Director of the Australian Open. “Both the Australian Open and Kia are committed to cultivating and celebrating the spirit of progress, making us ideal partners.”
“We are delighted to share that this year’s fleet of 130 Kia vehicles is made up entirely of award-winning all-electric and hybrid models, demonstrating both Kia and the AO’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. When Kia’s iconic AO cars start appearing on Melbourne’s streets, the city knows the AO has arrived, creating an unbeatable atmosphere and buzz.”
As part of AO25, we are introducing our latest brand campaign, ‘What’s Your Next Move?’, featuring the Kia EV3 globally and the EV5 locally, to engage tennis fans during the Australian Open. This campaign, aligned with our brand ethos, ‘Movement that Inspires’, showcases the energy and progressiveness of the AO25 while encouraging audiences to take on new challenges. In particular, the documentary ‘Rafa’s Next Move’ illustrates Nadal’s story at the Australian Open and his everyday interests outside of tennis.
We have partnered again with Tennis Australia, to produce an inspiring four-episode digital series titled ‘What Moves You?’. This series will explore the personal stories of current tennis players by delving into what fuels their passion beyond the tennis court. Through interviews conducted inside the Kia EV5 and EV9, the series highlights how these athletes find inspiration in their lives and promotes our electric vehicles as symbols of innovation and movement.
In addition, we have launched a series of programs to create unforgettable experiences for our customers and fans during the AO25. 90 of our
