DRB-HICOM TO ASSEMBLE AUDI BY 2012

Audi car fans in Malaysia will have a chance to buy the luxury and sporty models with a cheaper price soon when DRB-Hicom start to assemble Audi line up by 2012. Hopefully they will retain the quality with a lower price. Read full news from btimes below.

DRB-HICOM Bhd aims to assemble Audi vehicles in Malaysia by 2012, its managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil said.

 

The plan hinges on the group’s ability to generate sales of at least 1,000 units of the German marque per year, Mohd Khamil added.

 

DRB-HICOM has been the local sole importer and distributor of Audi vehicles since 2003 through wholly-owned Euromobil Sdn Bhd.

 

The group may be able to start the local assembly sooner than expected given the latest sales trend that points to an Audi volume of more than 1,000 units in 2010.

 

 
“In the first six months of the year, our sales have grown 66 per cent over the same period in 2009,” Euromobil chief executive officer Stanley Tan said.

 

Mohd Khamil, however, said it only expects a full-year volume of 700 units due to a supply constraint for certain models worldwide. One example is the Q5 sports utility vehicles, which has a waiting period of over one year.

 

 “If we can get enough supply from Audi in Germany, the sales number can touch 1,000 units annually. Then, it can justify my request for the local assembly of the vehicles here,” he added.

 

Mohd Khamil and Tan spoke at a press conference after the launch of the Audi A5 Coupe in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday.

 

Senior group executives have said that Audi was the country’s fastest growing luxury car brand last year, with sales revving up 102 per cent to 435 units from 215 units in 2008.

 

Under the Euromobil banner, Audi’s market share in the luxury car segment in Malaysia for 2009 grew to 5 per cent.

 

Audi of Germany has set its sights on becoming the number one luxury car manufacturer by 2015. It is a fast-growing brand with key markets being Europe, the US, China and Australia.

 

On the A5 Coupe, Mohd Khamil said the group will work hard to ensure that its customers get their units within four months.

 

“The A5 Coupe gives you a glimpse of Audi’s vision of an expertly styled coupe with high performance potential,” he added.

 

Tan said a total sales volume of between 20 units and 30 units is expected from now till year-end. The A5 Coupe sells at RM399,900 (without insurance).

 

In February, the two-door car won Germany’s Design Award 2010, the most prestigious of all official design awards in the country.