Rolls-Royce Eyes Young Malaysian Customers

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, March 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains an important market for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd with newer models of the super luxury cars attracting an increasing number of younger Malaysians to the brand, according to the company. Its Regional Director for Asia Pacific Paul Harris said Malaysia's market meets all the plans and expectations set out by the company despite the country being affected by several economic issues. There is still significant demand for Rolls-Royce cars in Malaysia, especially for its newer offerings which are geared towards the younger generation, he said. "For Malaysia, the underlying fundamental is that it has a big population with a lot of wealth, so that has not really changed. "For us the (Malaysian) market still wins," he told Bernama in an interview on the sidelines of the Bangkok International Motor Show here Tuesday. Rolls-Royce Cars, he said, has two showrooms in Kuala Lumpur -- one for its new cars, and another for its fully warranteed used car programme which has been attracting strong demand from local customers. Despite having only two showrooms in Malaysia, the company has been very active nationwide chasing new customers, he said. "We are relly active all over the country -- from states of Melaka to Penang, we basically go where the clients are, in Sabah (east Malaysian state) and all over the place -- wherever the rich are," said Harris. On what Rolls-Royce enthusiasts in Malaysia could expect in the coming months, he said the company will be bringing its newest model, the convertible "Dawn", which has been attracting deep interest from Malaysians. Meanwhile Rolls-Royce Regional Sales Manager South Asia Sven J.Ritter said Asia has been one of the most important markets for Rolls-Royce cars with the continent chalking up a 13 per cent growth in sales last year. Last year, more than 3,700 Rolls-Royce cars were sold globally, he said. --BERNAMA