The All Blacks may find themselves having to catch a ride to their World Cup games come 2011.

Ford New Zealand, which has sponsored the national team and the Super 14 franchises for the past 15 years, has been providing players with vehicles including the Ford Falcon, Territory and Ranger.

But the economic crisis may be hitting the big franchises also, a new contract announced by Ford at the beginning of this month suggests.

All Blacks players and members of the various Super 14 teams will be guaranteed a Ford vehicle until the end of next year.

A decision will then be made whether sponsorship will continue after 2009.

Ford New Zealand sponsorship manager Suzanne Van Pels said there had been a long, healthy relationship between the company and the All Blacks franchise, but various circumstances had led to the year-long contract.

"[The contracts] have varied over the years, but our last contract was for three years," she said.

"Our business strategy has changed - we've got a different sponsorship strategy now.

"It's purely business."

New Zealand Rugby Union commercial manager Paul Dalton said the union was pleased the company had decided to carry on with the contract.

He acknowledged that the global financial crisis was impacting everyone around the world - even "the big guys".

"At the moment, we're just thrilled that it's been extended.

"With sponsors, it depends on the circumstances.

"With Phillips, who were with us last year, it's been a year.

"But with Adidas, they're signed right up to 2019."

Dalton said further discussions would take place near the end of 2009 when a decision would be made.

"Nothing changes [in the meantime].

"They'll continue to sponsor us up until 2009 and if we get there and things change, we'll figure out changes then."

Doing away with a car sponsor was out of the question, Dalton said.

"It's a category of sponsorship that I think has provided a good advertising point for sponsors and if they [Ford] pull out, we'll look to find another [car] sponsor."

Dalton said: "Sponsorship is just one of the things that helps with costs.

"Ford has a national relationship with the All Blacks and Super 14 teams.

"There's two levels of the relationship and we just want to make that work."