Axalta Enjoying View from the Front as Associate Sponsor of Ford Chip Ganassi Ra

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.”