DFM to compete in Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018

On November 7, 2016, DFM launched Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018 Program, marking that its preparations for the race have entered the acceleration stage. At the launch ceremony, French seaman Charles Caudrelier was reappointed captain of "DongFeng Team".

Volvo Ocean Race is a world top yacht race with a long history. To prepare for the new season starting in October 2017, DFM sponsored "DongFeng" yacht once again, and established "DongFeng Team" led by reappointed captain-Charles Caudrelier, and constituted by several Chinese crews and elitists recruited from across the world.

"I am honored to be the captain of DongFeng Tem again," said Caudrelier after being reappointed. In Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015, he led DongFeng Team to the third place. In the 2017-2018 season, he hoped to achieve a greater success and refresh the record. Like the previous edition, the team has the most Chinese crews ever this year. Chinese crew Liu Xue will compete in the race again.

"DFM takes globalization as its long-term strategy, the race will help enhance the global recognition of "DongFeng" brand, the course and ports of call for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018 tally with DFM's target overseas markets, DFM expects to employ the influence of the race to enhance the overseas communication of DongFeng brand and promote the business development of DFM in target overseas markets. In recent years, DFM's sales have grown continuously. In the first ten months of 2016, DFM sold 3.31 million units and 1.0843 million DongFeng-branded units, up 12.9 percent and 12.36 percent year on year respectively, including 705,400 DongFeng-branded passenger vehicles and 378,900 DongFeng-branded commercial vehicles, up 16.39 percent and 5.55 percent year on year respectively. DFM was ranked 81st among Fortune Global 500 2016 with operating revenues of 82.817 billion US dollars, moving up 28 places from 109th last year and ranking 16th among Chinese enterprises listed. To date, DFM has been ranked among the top 200 of Fortune Global 500 for seven consecutive years.

Li Shaozhu, President of DFM; Jan Gurander, Deputy Chief Executive Office and Chief Financial Officer of Volvo Group and Caudrelier jointly turned the rudder symbolizing the starting of DongFeng yacht. DongFeng Team's full preparation for Volvo Ocean Race began under the attention of all sides.

Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018 will start in Alicante, Spain on October 22, 2017, pass by Lisbon, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajai, Newport, Cardiff and Gothenburg, and end in the Hague. The race will cover 11 landmark cities on five continents, run for eight months and cover 45,000 nautical miles.