Weststar Maxus, local distributors of the highly popular and versatile Maxus commercial vans, on Monday received the latest Maxus V80 van model from their new Chinese principal, Shanghai Motor Commercial Vehicle (SMCV), a division of the Shanghai Automotive Group (SAIC).
Weststar Group MD, Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, was on hand to officially take delivery of the van from SCMV President Lan Qingsong during the worldwide launch and handover ceremony held at the 14th Auto Shanghai international automobile exhibition.
“Today's launch of the new Maxus V80 marks a new and exciting milestone for both companies, and for China, Malaysia and the ASEAN region,” announced Qingsong.
SAIC, a Fortune 500 company, and one of the leading automobile companies in the world with an annual turnover of over US$50 Billion, also reported that they have received over 80,000 orders for the new Maxus in China alone.
Weststar, who made history by becoming SAIC's first ever overseas joint venture partner, will begin receiving the CKD vehicles beginning August this year and assemble them at their facility in Port Klang with an initial capacity of 10,000 units annually.
“The MAXUS van already has a strong and respected presence in Malaysia, as it is utilised by various governmental and commercial entities such as the Fire Department, Health Ministry, Armed Forces, Youth & Sports Ministry and as ambulances. We are pleased to be bringing the latest V80 model to Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region very soon,” said Tan Sri Syed Azman.
Weststar Maxus has been the Malaysian distributor for the full range of Maxus commercial vehicles since 2006, supplying close to 2,000 units to Government Agencies and retail customers.
Weststar Maxus, who also holds the distribution rights for the entire Asia Pacific region, including Japan, plans to launch the Maxus van in Indonesia and Thailand in early 2012, with offices in those countries having already been set up.
Tan Sri Syed Azman expressed confidence that the new range will exceed sales of 2,000 units annually in Malaysia and close to 10,000 units annually within in the region.
The new Maxus V80 boasts an exciting new European designed facelift and the latest 2.5L TDCI Euro4 engine, while the body features new and strict design principles, including the "2mm Body Gap" tolerance, a first in the commercial vehicle segment, further adding to the sturdiness and safety of the vehicle.
A number of other giant global automakers also took the opportunity to launch new models during Auto Shanghai 2011, including Audi, Chevrolet, Mini Cooper and Volvo, amongst others.
Since 1985, the biennial Auto Shanghai motor exhibition has become one of the industry’s most important events, with the 2011 edition being the biggest ever, covering an area of 230,000 square meters and attracting up to 700,000 visitors. This year’s event began on April 21 and concludes today.
source: Official press release of Weststar Group of Companies
source: Official press release of Weststar Group of Companies
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