Thursday, April 21, 2016

New 3S Center for Volksagen in Semenyih launched, news on the recent sales promo as well as new models


I was over in Semenyih to witness the launch of the VOLKSWAGEN Semenyih 3S Centre. The launch was officiated by Volkswagen Malaysian and the centre operators, HICOM Auto Sdn Bhd and it is huge - it spans a total of 34,030 sqft, the Volkswagen Semenyih 3S Centre showroom is able to fit 8 car displays and a customer lounge, while the service centre has a total of 11 service bays manned by 12 experienced and trained aftersales staff.  HICOM Auto Sdn Bhd has invested RM10.7million towards the overall build up, purchase of Volkswagen approved equipment, aftersales, training and staff acquisition – this 3S centre will be able to cater to the southern Klang Valley and customers from Semenyih, Kajang, Balakong, Putrajaya and Nilai.


L-R: Jack Zaal, Chief Executive Officer, HICOM Auto Sdn Bhd,  Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Distribution and Defence DRB-HICOM Berhad with Armin Keller, Managing Director Volkswagen Group Malaysia

This is the third of three Volkswagen centers operated by DRB-HICOM. Jack Zaal, CEO of HICOM Auto mentioned that the company targets a total sales of Volkswagen cars of about 700 units. He also mentioned that the Semenyih Centre has already sold and collected bookings for approximately 60 cars and looks promising. They target a majority of the sales to be the Volkswagen CKD models - the Polo Sedan & Hatch, Jetta and the Passat.

Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia mentioned that the center was the fourth showroom launched within the first half of 2016 and this is a testament that Volkswagen Malaysia are strengthening our offerings to our customers as well as enhancing after sales service and the relationship with its customers.  

I have to state that things are on the improvement at Volkswagen Malaysia. Their 'Drop Everything' Sales promotion, which was launched to clear of 2014-2015 stocks of the CKD Polo (sedan & hatch), Jetta and Passat has been a tremendous success. They have actually managed to sell off all the units on offer and I have also heard that the ratio of the Passat to the number of bookings for the Passat number seven bookings to one.  Somehow, throw in a fantastic price and everyone is actually happy with the car offered. The right price for the car usually makes it sell.

Anyway, one of the reasons for the promotion was that Volkswagen Malaysia had brought in a lot of stock after their record breaking 2013 sales figures. 2014 things went sideways but they had ordered CKD packs in anticipation of large sales volumes which were hit by their quality issues. But now Volkswagen also needed to clear its stock so that the new models can be brought in and produced. 

Expect something called a Volkswagen Vento and the new Volkswagen Passat to be launched sometime this year. It's all in the pipeline folks.  Oh, what's a Vento. It means 'wind' in Portuguese. One can view it in the Volkswagen India website if one is interested.



Dato Abdul Harith handing over the mock key to the first customer of Volkswagen Semenyih


PRESS RELEASE
Volkswagen Semenyih 3S Centre Launched!


KUALA LUMPUR, 21 April 2016 –Volkswagen Malaysia and HICOM Auto

Sdn Bhd are pleased to announce the launch of the latest addition to the

Volkswagen network – the Volkswagen Semenyih 3S Centre. This outlet

will also be the first continental car brand to operate in the Semenyih

Spanning over a total of 34,030 sqft, the Volkswagen Semenyih 3S

Centre showroom is able to fit 8 car displays and a customer lounge,

while the service centre has a total of 11 service bays manned by 12

experienced and trained aftersales staff.


Established with an initial investment of RM 10.7 million by HICOM Auto

Sdn Bhd towards the overall build up, purchase of Volkswagen approved

equipment, aftersales, training and staff acquisition – this 3S centre will

be able to cater to the southern Klang Valley and customers from

Semenyih, Kajang, Balakong, Putrajaya and Nilai.


As an added bonus, customers who purchase a Volkswagen vehicle from

Volkswagen Semenyih will also receive a DRB-HICOM Elite Card which

is a multi-merchant loyalty programme aimed at providing assistance and

exclusive benefits to members through redeemable products and

services, discounts and assistance.


Mr Armin Keller, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Malaysia said

“This is the fourth showroom launched within the first half of the year and

this is a testament that we are strengthening our offerings to our

customers. This opening is part of making our customers a top priority

and Volkswagen Malaysia will continue to work closely with our

dealership partners to ensure constant improvement towards the overall

ownership experience. Congratulations HICOM Auto on today’s launch

and thank you for your commitment to the brand.”

Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer, Automotive

Distribution and Defence,  DRB-HICOM Berhad said, “We are indeed

confident the collaboration between Volkswagen and DRB-HICOM, which

personifies the coming together of two industry-leading brands, will

continue to pave the way for a mutually beneficial long-term partnership.

With this investment, we are committed to providing and enhancing the

overall ownership experience of our customers.”

Volkswagen Semenyih 3S Centre sales operates from Monday to Friday

from 8:30am to 7:00pm and on weekends and Public Holidays from

10:00am to 5:00pm for its showroom. Aftersales services are available

from Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 5:30pm. The centre is equipped

with facilities such as computers for customer usage, and a café bar

counter.  Pick-up and drop-off services can be arranged for customers

who make prior appointment.

For more information, please visit www.volkswagen.com.my

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