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| March 14, 2008 |
| Announcement |
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KENWOOD renews partnership contract with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team
KENWOOD to supply newly-designed, compact, lightweight digital wireless radio terminals
and put its logos on drivers' helmets |
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KENWOOD Corporation (President and CEO: Kazuo Shiohata; Head Office: Hachioji, Tokyo) has renewed its official supplier contract with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (Representative: Ron Dennis; Head Office: Woking, U.K.) to supply wireless radio systems. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is one of the top teams in the Formula One World Championship™, the pinnacle of motor sports. We are also pleased to inform you that KENWOOD's logos will be put on the drivers' helmets in the 2008 season.
Since the conclusion of the partnership contract with McLaren in 1991, KENWOOD has maintained a partnership with McLaren by supplying wireless radio systems for more than 16 years, the longest among Japanese companies. Our official supplier contract has been renewed based on our long-term partnership and mutual trust.
In the 2008 season, KENWOOD will not only supply wireless radio systems, including newly designed compact, lightweight digital wireless radio terminals and provide technical support to the team, but also put its brand logos on the drivers' helmets, to the right of the visors (see photograph below).
KENWOOD has been granted the right to use the portraits of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, which will enable us to develop worldwide promotional activities and make the most of our partnership and the placing of our logos on the helmets. |
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| Original digital wireless radio terminals |
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KENWOOD will continue to supply digital wireless radio systems to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, and also offer full-scale technical support through full-time staff, following on from the previous season.
In the 2008 season, Lewis Hamilton, who finished second in the Drivers' World Championship narrowly missing out on the title in the previous season, and Heikki Kovalainen, who made his debut in Grand Prix racing last year and finished second in the Japanese Grand Prix, behind Hamilton, will be the drivers of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, which will aim to achieve its earnest wish of recovering the FIA Formula One World Constructors' Championship. |
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| Comments of Mr. Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group |
| We are honored to be able to continue the partnership with KENWOOD, a valuable member of our team since 1991. In the 2008 season, I am confident that KENWOOD’s wireless radio systems will make accurate communication between drivers and team members even better than before, just like in the previous season. In fact, I know that KENWOOD’s equipment will bring out the best in our team. |
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| Comments of Kazuo Shiohata, President and CEO of KENWOOD Corporation |
| Our participation in the world's most celebrated and harshest motor sports event, where the best technology from various industries around the world are on display, is proof of the strong presence of the KENWOOD brand. We are proud that we have been able to continue our partnership with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, one of the top teams in the world of Grand Prix racing, for such a long time. We will supply digital wireless radio systems, including smaller, lighter wireless radio terminals, and put our logos on the drivers' helmets in the 2008 season. We will strive to contribute to the victory of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team with the digital wireless radio systems that we have developed by continuing to make the best use of our cutting-edge radio technologies, so that the team can dominate the world of Grand Prix racing and secure the top spot. |
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| KENWOOD Group is "Reaching out to discover, inspire and enhance the enjoyment of life" as part of its bold, new vision for the future. As a leader in the field of "Mobile & Home Multimedia Systems", KENWOOD is comprised of three businesses (Car Electronics, Communications Equipment and Home Electronics), 11 domestic and 25 overseas subsidiaries around the world. |
For inquiries regarding this article, please contact;
| Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
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Ellen Kolby Head of Media Communications
TEL: +44(0)1483-261900 FAX: +44(0)1483-261963
E-mail: Ellen.Kolby@mclaren.com |
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| KENWOOD Corporation |
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Public & Investor Relations Office, Corporate Relations Division
TEL: +81 42 (646) 6724 FAX: +81 42 (646) 1440
E-mail: pr.qa@kenwood.co.jp |
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