March 21 – Italy’s Internazionale have signed car manufacturer SWM Motors as an official partner with the company’s SWM X7 becoming the Official Car of F.C. Internazionale for the Greater China area.
SWM was founded in Milan but is now wholly owned by a China’s Shineray Holdings. SWM Motors maintains a production and R&D facility in Milan, and has an SWM Motors factory in Chongqing-Fuling making more than 300,000 passenger vehicles and 300,000 engines annually.
A signing ceremony in Chongqing today was attended by SWM Motors and Shineray Holdings president Gong Daxing, SWM Motors CEO Xie Yong, Inter Milan CRO Michael Gandler, Inter Milan Sales & Partnership Management Director Giorgio Brambilla and Nerazzurri legend Marco Materazzi.
Materazzi unveiled an Inter-themed limited edition X7.
“This partnership is an important step for us, particularly because it sees us increase our presence in Asia,” said Gandler. “SWM is the perfect partner for Inter as we look to expand the club’s activities in the region.”
Inter sold a 69% stake in the club to Chinese retail giants Suning Holdings Group in June last year for a reported €280 million as part of an overall €750 million deal. The club’s majority shareholding had previously been held by Indonesian Erick Thohir who remained as president but with a reduced shareholding of 31%.
Inter will take part in the China and Singapore edition of the International Champions Cup tournament as part of their pre-season preparations this July. In China Inter wlll play city rivals AC Milan in Nanjing on July 24. After that they will travel to Singapore where they will face Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
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