Monday 30 September 2013

Mazda makes its Myanmar move

Japanese carmaker Mazda inked a deal with domestic firms Automobile Alliance (AA) and Cycle and Carriage Automobile Myanmar (CCAM) to import its new vehicles to the Myanmar market, though rivals claimed domestic interest in the brand falls below its competitors.

With sole distribution rights, the two firms aim to launch sales and sell spare parts through a permanent Yangon showroom to be opened in 2014, though it will open a temporary showroom in Bahan township in November.

“Mazda is Japanese-made, and we like its technology and design – that’s why I’m interested in importing it,” said U Aung Moe Kyaw, managing director of AA and CCAM.

However, some dealers shrugged off Mazda’s entrance to Myanmar, claiming that though the brand is relatively well known in the country, it sits below Toyota and Nissan in consumer perception.

“Mazda is not too popular compared with other brands, and imports few vehicles to Myanmar,” said used car dealer U Aung Than Win. With little demand for Mazda Demio models, prices for used vehicles often sit around K10 million (US$10,250), he added.

AA and CCAM are also the distributors for German brand Mercedes-Benz, and also import Mitsubishi Fuso trucks.

U Aung Moe Kyaw said the Myanmar car market is changing and brands are expanding rapidly in the market. Customers are also increasingly purchasing new vehicles, driven partly by a focus on service, he added.

“We are very attentive to service, and that helps us compete with Toyota and Nissan,” he said.

source: The Myanmar Times
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/8271-mazda-makes-its-myanmar-move.html 

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