Ford replaces Chevy as Major League Baseball's official auto partner

After two decades as Major League Baseball's official automotive partner, Chevrolet is being replaced by Ford Motor Co. On March 23, Ford enters an exclusive partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB), Lisa Materazzo, Ford's global chief marketing officer, told the Detroit Free Press. The national partnership will launch on Opening Day this year — starting on March 25 when the New York Yankees play the San Francisco Giants.

The next day, the Detroit Tigers play the San Diego Padres along with 11 other Opening Day games and more games follow on March 27, according to ESPN . Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB vice president of Global Corporate Partnerships, told the Detroit Free Press the partnership is for five years. In recent marketing, Ford has been touting itself as America's car company, noting that 80% of the cars Ford sells in the United States are also made here.

Baseball is known as America's favorite pastime, so the partnership made sense to both parties, Dowler and Materazzo said. As part of the national partnership between Ford and MLB, Ford will pay for official sponsorships during broadcasts and in-person games. Ford will also display its vehicles at certain stadiums and participate in conducting other events that showcase the automaker and baseball in relation to July Fourth, the All-Star week, the World Series and more, Materazzo said.

Ford also secures rights across Minor League Baseball and Little League Baseball and Softball, including the Little League World Series. This gives Ford and local dealers a chance to make an impact through community events, youth clinics, and equipment donations. "When fans attend a game, they will see various points of interaction with the brand.