MG Motor France becomes Major Partner of Olympique Lyonnais for three seasons

To support its great comeback in Europe, MG Motor France, owned by the SAIC group (first Chinese car manufacturer), wanted to lean on the services and expertise of SPORTFIVE.

With their common commitments in soft mobility and environmental transition, SPORTFIVE has naturally brought together Olympique Lyonnais, an emblematic club of the French championship, and MG Motor France in order to offer the players of the professional team and some of the administrative staff, a new range of MG electrified vehicles.

The OL teams will have the chance to discover the performance of the MG Marvel R, a 100% electric SUV in C segment with a nearly 400 km autonomy, or to choose the MG EHS Plug-in Hybrid technology. Finally, everyone will be able to adopt the MG ZS EV, a 100% electric family car designed for urban rides. Using MG electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles with contained CO2 emissions ranging from 0 to 43 g, Olympique Lyonnais confirms its commitment to environment and its desire to reduce its carbon footprint by adopting more responsible behavior in terms of mobility.

For MG Motor France, this new collaboration should support the development of its sales network in France, which has already opened 80 car dealerships in one year and is now aiming for 100 to 120 outlets by the end of 2021, including the one in Vénissieux, in Lyon’s metropolitan area, with the Jean Lain distribution group. United by the search for performance and a passion for innovation and technology, the two brands will share their common ambitions with Olympique Lyonnais fans, who will benefit from animations around MG electrified models in the Groupama Stadium as soon as the 21/22 championship starts in August.

Finally, SPORTFIVE has been selected to become the brand’s activation agency. This new collaboration has already led to the production of a film announcing the partnership, which can also be accessed via the digital press kit below.

This modern video tells the story of how two actors with a rich history of success join forces to lead fans into an electric season. The content highlights the aesthetics of the Marvel R Electric in an electric pregame atmosphere.

Jean-Michel Aulas, Président of Olympique Lyonnais: "We are honored to welcome MG Motor among our new partners. This collaboration with an iconic automotive brand will allow us to fulfill our common goal for a softer mobility, and strengthen our commitment for environmental transition, supported by sport stakeholders.2

Xinyu LIU, CEO of MG Motor France and VP Sales MG Motor Europe: "There are many reasons why we decided to work with Olympique Lyonnais. First of all, OL has collected great results in the French Ligue 1 and European competitions. Then, OL is already a supporter of environmental-friendly activities. MG also promotes sustainable energies and works to protect environment in France and Europe. On this, we share a common goal.”

Laurent MORETTI, France Managing Director of SPORTFIVE: "We are very pleased to work with MG Motor for their comeback in Europe. Olympique Lyonnais is the best match for MG because of their common values and commitments towards environment. We are excited for the coming 2021/2022 season with the comeback of fans in the stadium and many activations promoting the brand and its new electric-powered vehicles. This new season will be electric!"

ABOUT OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS

Football club founded in 1950 and chaired by Jean-Michel Aulas since 1987, Olympique Lyonnais has won 21 titles (including the record of 7 consecutive Champion titles) with the club’s men’s team, which again qualified for the 8th finals of the UEFA Champions League 2020 against Juventus for its 23rd consecutive participation in a European competition, and 28 with the women’s team (13 consecutive titles of French champions, 8 French cupsand 6 UEFA Women’s Champions League, including the last 4). This approach of parity is also found in the creation of its mixed Academy.Since the inauguration of its new stadium in January 2016, Olympique Lyonnais has, like the major European clubs, a 100% private ultra-modern and multifunctional enclosure, open 365 days a year, which is part of a Full Entertainment strategy, offering sports, artistic, cultural and corporate activities.

ABOUT MG MOTOR

Born in 1924, the British car manufacturer is famous for its “passion”, sport cars and a good price-quality ratio. MG has been ahead of its time since the brand’s inception in the Morris Garages in 1924. Now a new generation can choose a car from this iconic brand. Updated, electrified, recharged and ready for the future. Since 2007, MG is a brand of SAIC Motor, 7thbiggest worldwide car manufacturer. Today, MG is growing fast in Europe, proposing a range of practical and affordable SUV and vehicles. Designed in Marylebone near London, and built in several supermodern factories, MG cars are practical, spacious and equipped with perfect technology for modern life. Our combination of European engineering and VE advanced technology will make car drivers enter a new era of mobility.