Quasar plans RM2mil expansion

BENTONG: QUASAR Carriage Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor for the Skoda brand in Malaysia, is pushing a two-pronged strategy in its bid to boost income and market share. 

Executive chairman Datuk Amer Hamzah, in disclosing this, said the company has set aside more than RM2mil for expansion and envisaged Skoda cars to capture 10% of the local non-national car market in three to five years.  

He said strategies used to reach that target would be aggressive marketing, appointment of new dealers and ten 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres. 

“We will be promoting Skoda cars aggressively,” Amer said at the dual dealership convention in Bukit Tinggi, Bentong. 

He added that the company had allocated between RM1mil and RM2mil for its marketing campaign. It would also be participating in the upcoming KL Motor Show in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in May. 

“We have also allocated a budget to set up ten 3S centres this year, each costing about RM100,000,” Amer said. 

Datuk Amer Hamzah in front of the Skoda Superb.

At the dual dealership convention in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Quasar Carriage signed letters of intent with 35 dealers. However, Quasar Carriage would only be selecting 20 dealers throughout the country. 

Currently, Quasar Carriage has only four branches. Another 20 branches are expected to be ready by March this year when it finalises details with its dealers.  

Dealers would be able to sell Skoda brand cars and also Mercedes-Benz multi purpose vehicles (MPV) and light commercial vehicles (LCV).  

AutoPraha is the importer for Skoda cars and Quasar Carriage handles all distribution, marketing of Skoda and is a super dealer for Nusa Otomobil Corp Sdn Bhd.  

Nusa Otomobil Corp is the importer of Mercedes Benz MPV and light commercial vehicle. 

“Watch out for us. We are staying for good and we are growing from strength to strength in the local auto scene,” he said. 

Amer said Quasar Carriage aims to sell 1,000 Skoda cars this year. Skoda, which made its Malaysian debut in 2002, has sold a few hundred cars to date. 

“We are confident that our dealers will be able to sell more but we are being conservative here. Our target market is the middle upper income customer,” Amer said, adding that he believes there is a demand for a safe and reliable European car that is of good quality and competitively priced. 

Amer said Quasar Carriage would be bringing in the Skoda Roomster and Yeti this year.