LEADING independent vehicle importer Performax International is
expanding into South-East Asia.
The Queensland-based company has established Performax Thailand,
a research and development facility which will develop products for
Performax's vehicle conversion business and undertake projects for
original equipment manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and other
automotive producers in the region.
Performax Thailand is based at Minburi, near Bangkok, in
premises adjacent to an assembly plant for Volkswagen and Chery
vehicles.
Performax International General Manager Glenn Soper, who has had
extensive experience in the Asian motor industry, said the new
business would leverage 25 years' experience as Australia's leading
importer and converter of American-built performance vehicles.
"We are uniquely qualified to provide services such as
compliancing, R&D, CKD, training and component development from
the vehicle conversion perspective," Mr Soper said.
"Converting cars and pickups, especially those that rely heavily
on electronics, from left-hand drive to right-hand drive has become
a highly technical process far beyond the ability of old-style
'backyarders'.
"Customers demand OEM standards of driveability and cabin
quality and Performax International delivers the best.
"Performax International was the first company in the world to
re-engineer the current Chev Camaro to right-hand drive and
recently we developed right-hand drive electrically-assisted power
steering for the latest Ford Mustang.
"This capability translates into many other tasks in the motor
industry and we're confident of finding new markets as the ASEAN
region continues to grow as a manufacturing hub for global
automotive brands.
"The R&D centre also will provide a lower-cost base for
developing our own products, such as dashboards.
"We'll use Thai-developed specifications in seeking
manufacturing suppliers from China, Thailand and other countries
that will significantly lower the cost of our vehicles in
Australia."
Performax Thailand will be managed by R&D Team Leader Sumet
Fakin.
With dealers established in all major Australian States,
Performax International is looking to expand its supply chain
connections and markets in other right-hand drive countries in
Asia, Africa and the South Pacific.
It supplies Australian agents, wholesalers and direct customers
with the latest American cars and sports pickups, including the
Chev Corvette, Chev Camaro, Chev Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ford
Mustang and Toyota Tundra.
It expects to add the Ford F-Series and Dodge RAM to the line-up
in coming months.
For more information please contact:
Glenn Soper
General Manager
Performax International
Ph. (07) 5482 7833