Nexen Tire Signs Official Two-Year Partnership with Formula Drift

SEOUL, South Korea, March 23, 2016 /CNW/ -- Nexen Tire, a leading global tire manufacturer, announced that the company has become an Official Major Partner of Formula Drift, the premier United States drifting series, for the 2016 and 2017 race seasons.

Nexen Tire signed a partnership agreement at Nexen Tire America Inc, office on March 18^th. In addition, the company has also signed partnerships with two drivers from Scion Racing by Toyota for two years and Tanner Foust, the two-time Formula Drift champion from Rockstar Energy for a year. The drivers signed from Scion Racing by Toyota are Fredric Aasbo, the 2015 Formula Drift World Champion, and Ken Gushi, the 2015 Formula Drift runner-up. The three drivers will race on Nexen Tire's N'Fera SUR4 tires in 2016 and 2017 races.

"Our partnership with Formula Drift, where tire performance plays a crucial role in maximizing handling and providing efficient grip, will be an ideal opportunity to showcase our performance-driven technology and increase brand awareness," said Nexen Tire. The company also added that, "We will further strengthen our sports marketing in motorsports by launching a new Nexen Motorsport Branding Identity this year."

The partnership with Formula Drift is a part of Nexen Tire's new sports marketing strategy in motorsports. The company's N'Fera SUR4 tire, an Extreme Ultra High Performance tire which will be used in competitions, has optimal grip performance and response with minimal performance drop under extreme conditions. It is a UTQG 200 tire designed for Formula Drift, SCCA and Time Trials, and is currently available in 20 different sizes.

With the two-year agreement, Nexen Tire advertisements will be placed prominently on track signage and the Formula Drift Live Stream, along with commercials on both the Formula Drift website and all Formula Drift broadcasts on CBS Sports, reaching approximately 10 million households across the U.S.

Recently, Nexen Tire has been strengthening its global presence by implementing various sports marketing activities. The company signed an official sponsorship with Manchester City Football Club in August 2015 and has been in official partnership Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.

About Nexen Tire

Nexen Tire, established in 1942, is a global tire manufacturer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, and in Seoul, South Korea. Nexen Tire, one of the world's fastest growing tire manufacturers, works with 491 dealers based in 141 countries around the world (as of July 2015) and owns three manufacturing plants - two in Korea (Yangsan and Changnyeong) and one in Qingdao, China. Another plant in Zatec, Czech Republic will be operational by 2018. Nexen Tire produces tires for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks with advanced technology and excellence in design. The company also focuses on producing UHP tires, which are based on advanced technologies. Nexen Tire supplies OE tires to global car makers in various countries around the world. In 2014, the company achieved a grand slam of the world's top 4 design awards for the first time amongst the various tire makers in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.nexentire.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160323/347225

SOURCE Nexen Tire

Eugene Han, Burson-Marsteller Korea, [phone], [phone], [email protected]; Eunju Lee, [phone], [phone], [email protected]; Seungok Choi, [phone], [phone], [email protected], http://www.nexentire.com