Aston Martin announces Wearnes Automotive to be their new representative in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: Aston Martin Asia-Pacific has appointed Wearnes Automotive as their representative for the Malaysian market, in a recent announcement. The British manufacturer was not clear regarding the specific details of the new dealership which will not be operational immediately.

However, sources suggest that Wearnes Automotive will not be granted the previous Aston Martin showroom stationed along the Federal Highway in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Instead of which a temporary showroom will be established along Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. Wearnes Automotive has been earlier using this showroom for many years for its Volvo Business which was later converted into a Volkswagen showroom.

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It is not yet clear, Why Aston Martin took the decision to switch representatives in Malaysia after just 3 years. But it seems like the British automaker is looking for a local partner with a more long-term commitment. Wearnes Automotive has proved to be a meticulous business unit with a unique approach towards the market. The company is in this business from almost 100 years.

Gabor A. Csurgai, Regional MD of Wearnes Automotive said, “We see this very much as a long-term investment and our aim is to strengthen the Aston Martin brand presence in this key market.” He further added that “Even though this may not be the best time to be starting a new business in Malaysia, the company has been doing business here for a long time, during which the automotive market has gone up and down. From that long experience, it is, therefore, certain that things can change in time to come.”

Wearnes Automotive was started as an Oldsmobile Franchise in Singapore in 1906 by two Australian brothers. Later the company became the representatives for major European brands like, Rolls-Royce and came to be among the leading car companies in Malaysia and Singapore.

The New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1880's forced the Wearnes to scale down their automotive business in Malaysia and focussing on the Singapore market. However, in 2003 they returned with the Volvo franchise and then gaining Volkswagen and BMW.

Wearnes Automotive currently represents three brands in Malaysia, namely Volkswagen, BMW and now Aston Martin as the company is no longer associated with Volvo. Besides that, Wearnes Automotive has many other brands in its portfolio on a regional basis either as a distributor or retailer. The brands under Wearnes umbrella includes Infiniti, McLaren, Jaguar, Bentley, Mazda, Land Rover, Volvo and Lamborghini.