Volkswagen Group Malaysia have officially announced that the European automotive retail specialist Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) will become the official distributor of Volkswagen cars, under the new company name of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). VPCM is managed by European automotive retail specialist, Porsche Holding Salzburg, is the largest and most successful automotive distributor in Europe. The Salzburg, Germany-based company was founded in 1947, and operates today in 26 markets in Western- and South-eastern Europe, China, and in Columbia and Chile in South America.
Announcing the new VPCM directors
VPCM have also introduced their two Managing Directors, Mr. Alin Tapalaga (photo-left), who oversees the Brand and Human Resource operations, and Mr. Florian Steiner (photo-right) who is responsible for Aftersales, Information Technology and Finance. With long-term business aspirations in the region, VPCM’s primary focus will be on sales strategies through future products, strengthening the Volkswagen dealer network and service and parts availability.
New 5 year manufacturer warranty & launch of new models
To further improve the ownership experience of Volkswagen products, VPCM is introducing a 5-year manufacturer warranty for all Volkswagen cars purchased beginning 1st September 2016. This replaces the current 3+2 years warranty.
VPCM will also be launching two key Volkswagen models, the new Jetta and all-new Passat within the next few months.
What of Volkswagen Group Malaysia?
The announcement comes after a series of consolidation exercises within Volkswagen Malaysia which had taken place over the past six months. I personally have noticed a lot of staff movement during those months. Moving forward, Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) will be concentrating its business interest in Malaysia on the Audi brand (which is sorely needed as they seem to be falling behind in terms of actual dealership sales) as well as its vehicle assembly operation in Pekan (Audi NEEDS to assemble its car locally to compete with their German rivals which already have local assembly here in Malaysia). VGM will be operating under a new Managing Director, Mr Jeffrey Dehate with effect from 1st October 2016.
My opinion on the matter
VPCM is now run by people who have been in the car sales industry for a very long time. I do foresee some positive changes coming our way within the next few years. The 5 year full manufacturer warranty is a good first step. I also notice that these are the people who also handle the China market for Volkswagen.
If I remember correctly, China was also another country where the Volkswagen brand faced some customer backlash pertaining to their cars, notably the DSG issue. So I do believe VPCM is a good move by VGM in sorting out their brand. It also allows them to focus on Audi, which I also see seems to be barely making a dent in the official sales volumes here to date. Audi needs local assembly to be priced competitively. So let's see where all of this takes VGM.
PRESS RELEASE
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is Official
Distributor of Volkswagen Cars in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 September 2016 – European automotive retail
specialist Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) today announced its entry into
the local automotive market as the official distributor of Volkswagen cars,
under the new company name of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
(VPCM).
Helming VPCM are its two Managing Directors, Mr. Alin Tapalaga, who
oversees the Brand and Human Resource operations, and Mr. Florian
Steiner who is responsible for Aftersales, Information Technology and
Finance.
With long-term business aspirations in the region, VPCM’s primary focus
will be on sales strategies through future products, strengthening the
Volkswagen dealer network and service and parts availability.
“VPCM is fully committed to the future growth of the Volkswagen brand
amidst the highly competitive automotive landscape in Malaysia. With a
strong management team already in place, we endeavor to provide our
customers with a complete ownership experience. Customers can also rest
assured that we will be increasing the CKD model lineup, and will continue
to import CBU models into the country,” says Mr. Tapalaga.
To further improve the ownership experience of Volkswagen products,
VPCM is introducing a 5-year manufacturer warranty for all Volkswagen
cars purchased beginning 1st September 2016. VPCM will also be launching
two key Volkswagen models, the new Jetta and all-new Passat within the
next few months.
“Customer satisfaction remains a priority to us, and we recognize the
importance of a strong relationship with our dealer partners in order to
achieve this. Together, we will continue to explore new ways to further
enhance our customers’ experience,” adds Mr. Steiner.
Porsche Holding Salzburg is the largest and most successful automotive
distributor in Europe. The Salzburg-based company was founded in 1947,
and operates today in 26 markets in Western- and South-eastern Europe,
China, and in Columbia and Chile in South America.
The announcement comes after a series of consolidation exercises within
Volkswagen Malaysia which had taken place over the past six months.
Moving forward, Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) will be concentrating
its business interest in Malaysia on the Audi brand as well as its vehicle
assembly operation in Pekan. VGM will be operating under a new
Managing Director, Mr Jeffrey Dehate with effect from 1st October 2016.
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