Axalta Enjoying View from the Front as Associate Sponsor of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For decades, Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global
supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has supplied the Ford Motor
Company, a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, with coatings
solutions and expertise.
In 2017, the relationship has taken another step forward, as Axalta has
become an Official Associate Sponsor of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. Under
the new agreement, the Ford GT race cars feature Axalta’s iconic logo as
they compete in both the full-season International Motor Sports
Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World
Endurance Championship (WEC) series. Axalta’s coatings have been
formulated to meet the specifications of the Ford GT’s carbon fiber body.
During the race season, Axalta has opportunities at race sites around
the globe to engage with the team and share in the success of the Ford
GT. In the first race with Axalta logos, the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing
team qualified in each of the top three spots and the No. 66 Ford GT
claimed victory at the 55th Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona
at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
“Axalta, the exclusive exterior coatings supplier to the production Ford
GT, sponsoring Ford Chip Ganassi Racing makes perfect sense,” said
Steven Markevich, Axalta Executive Vice President. “We are proud to be
able to associate the paint and other coatings that we supply with the
technology that underpins racing and the superior performance that the
GTs deliver on the track at every race.”
For the production GT, which is being manufactured at Multimatic in
Ontario, Ford and Axalta originally developed four colors synonymous
with Ford: Shadow Black, Frozen White, Ingot Silver, and Triple Yellow.
Four new, exclusive colors were then added to the GT palette: Liquid
Red, Liquid Blue, Liquid Gray and Matte Black.
“To get the world class finish the Ford GT deserves, you have to start
with the smoothest of surfaces,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Color
Marketing Manager. “The GT’s carbon fiber skin is, at its core, a weave
with inherent pits. A special Axalta primer dampens the surface while a
topcoat brings the color to life and finally a clearcoat gives gloss and
protection. These finishes have a true ‘show car’ look.”
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the approximately 13,000 people of Axalta
continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130
countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems
and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and
follow us @Axalta on Twitter and
on LinkedIn.
Contacts
Axalta Coating Systems
John Wray
D +1 586 789 7463
[email protected]
axaltacoatingsystems.com