Why? Jeep, Hyundai, Skoda, Volkswagon, Fiat, Renault, and previously Volvo, and Nissan have all sponsored teams in the afl with no manufacturing presence in Australia
Fiat Chrysler Australia, aka Jeep in footy sponsorship terms, is mired in mismanagement allegations, & it play its way out in the Courts over the next few months :
Fiat Chrysler Australia (FCA) launched legal action against former managing director Clyde Campbell.
It accuses him of misappropriating and misusing more than $30 million of company money to fund an extravagant lifestyle for his family and business associates.
Relevant to future sponsorship:
"Think about it. We have never really made a dollar here in Australia. We have been living off the money of the parent company to build a presence, build market share.
& its not just footy that was involved:
Other expenditure included a budget of $500,000 authorised by ... to fund a Fiat Abarth racing team to compete at the Bathurst 12-hour race last year. The venture ended up costing Fiat Chrysler more than $800,000.
Its the stuff of mini series.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/f...de-campbell-crashes-to-ground-20150606-ghh9rq