KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd may ponder on setting up its technologically-advanced "motor city" in Petaling Jaya, Selangor in other countries, its senior executives said.
The group yesterday launched its RM570 million Sime Darby Motors City (SDMC) at Ara Damansara township here, touted as the largest automotive complex in Southeast Asia.
SDMC boasts a number of the largest flagship showrooms in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in six buildings.
It houses six flagship centres featuring brands represented by Sime Darby Motors in Malaysia. They are BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI, Motorrad, Porsche and Volvo.
"We don't specifically have plans to open up similar automotive complex in other countries we are operating. But if the opportunity arises, we may consider it. We have certain dealerships currently grouped together in certain markets," Sime Darby Motors managing director Andrew Basham said at a press conference after the launch today.
Sime Darby has car and commercial vehicle distributorships and dealerships in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Earlier, Basham said as one of the key players in the automotive industry, Sime Darby Motors had always been committed to providing world-class services to its customers.
"The launch of Sime Darby Motors City is a testament to this steadfast commitment," he added.
Sime Darby Motors managing director (retail and distribution) Jeffrey Gan said SDMC aimed to be an exemplary centre for everything automotive.
"SDMC is truly a one-stop hub for customers shopping for their next vehicle," he said.
The massive investment in SDMC reflects Sime Darby's optimism in the local automotive sector.
Gan said Sime Darby Motors had seen good sales in the past one year.
"We are pretty positive about our sales outlook for the rest of the year," he said, adding that the company expected its sales growth this year to be in line with the Malaysian Automotive Association's (MAA) forecast of eight per cent expansion in the overall sales of new vehicles.
On the sales tax exemption for new vehicles which will end in June, Gan said Sime Darby Motors had submitted its request for an extension through the MAA.
SDMC is Malaysia's first automotive facility that deploys Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
At the heart of the facility's digital infrastructure is its Vehicle Tracking Management system which utilises a camera-based parking guide and customisable signages to ensure a higher level of guidance, security and convenience for the customer.
The Volvo flagship store there features Southeast Asia's first 3S showroom to be equipped with a Virtual Reality Studio.
Overall, SDMC spans across 8.6 acres with an overall built-up area of 1.3 million square feet over eight levels.
It also has an indoor facility capable of housing close to 100 vehicles under Sime Darby Motors' pre-owned car business Sime Darby Auto Selection.
Integrated with the latest technologies to enrich the overall customer experience at every touchpoint, the facility boasts almost 200 service bays, 700 customer parking and electric vehicle charging bays and the capacity to display more than 180 vehicles.
Supporting the facility are about 60 Auto Bavaria technicians for BMW, MINI and Motorrad and over 110 certified technicians.