Bangkok--28 Jun--Four Hundred
Sime Darby (Thailand) Limited aims to increase its market share in the automotive industry in Thailand, having just secured its first Ford dealership in Thailand.
Sime Darby Vantage Thailand (SDVT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sime Darby (Thailand) Limited, was appointed the official dealer by Ford Thailand late last year. SDVT has set up two Ford showrooms in Ladkrabang and Sukhapibal3 with a significant investment.
Steven Teo Chin Hun, managing director of Sime Darby (Thailand) Limited said SDVT, which will deal solely with Ford cars, plans to set up more branches in the near future.
“Sime Darby has a long and established regional strategic relationship with Ford, with key Ford distributorships and dealerships in many countries. I can foresee tremendous growth of Ford in Thailand with high quality cars and a line of new exciting models coming in the next few years.
“With several brands already in our bag, we hope to emerge as a force to be reckoned with in the automotive industry in Thailand. We see great potential for growth in Thailand especially in the Asean Economic Community (AEC) with Thailand being a large manufacturing hub in terms of infrastructure and skilled workers,” he said at the official opening of SDVT showrooms.
The Ladkrabang showroom started operations at the end of 2012 while Sukhapibal3 started operations in early 2013. Ford Sukhapibal3 is the first Ford 4S dealership in Thailand, with 30 service work bays and 15 body & paint work bays.
Steven said Ford Sukhapibal3 incorporated Ford’s latest showroom standards, with a large space, customer lounge and other facilities.
Sime Darby’s foray in Thailand started in 2001 and it is now the official dealer for Mazda and BMW with five Mazda showrooms and two BMW showrooms.
Steven expects Thailand’s automotive market to ease this year compared with the previous year due to accelerated buying in 2012 as a result of tax rebates for first time car buyers.
“From the beginning of 2013, the number of reservations dropped but we expect the market to slowly recover by the end of 2013. Regardless of the situation, the company remains the leading Mazda dealer and we are hopeful to see the same for Ford which we have just started,” he said.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Sitikorn Sangiumprong (Pang) Tel. 0-2553-3161-3