Kia debuted its electric EV6 and presented keys for 130 cars – including 10 EV6 models – ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne starting January 17 at the Kia Arena.
Celebrating 21 years at the event, Kia’s fleet of 70 Sportage, 50 Carnivals and the EV6s will be used to transport Australian Open players, officials and VIP guests.
World tennis legends and Kia ambassadors Dylan Alcott, who is playing his last grand slam before retirement, and Rafael Nadal, who is making a comeback after injury, used the Kia EV6’s ‘Vehicle to Load’ (V2L) function to power a LED animation billboard at the fleet handover ceremony.
“This is an exciting year for the Grand Slam as stadiums fill up again with fans and we share the Kia Arena with revellers and the broader tennis community,” Kia Australia chief executive James Cho says.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley adds; “Kia has helped drive our success as a world-renowned sporting tournament and this year’s courtesy fleet is no different with the focus on the sustainable vehicles.
“We are looking forward seeing the premium Kia Arena come to life and another year collaborating with Kia as part of the Tennis Australia family.”
For a fortnight, the Kia EV6 will power elements of the ‘Kia Halo’ at Melbourne Park while elevated on 250 aluminium rods choreographed to dance in a wave-like motion in the 360-degree bespoke structure.
“The ‘Kia Halo’ is an audacious, visually arresting display accompanied by a custom pink noise sound scape that brings the listener into a more inspired state of mind. It truly embodies our movement that inspires ethos,” Kia Australia marketing general manager Dean Norbiato says.
Kia aims to be carbon neutral by 2045.
