Luxury auto sales hit by turmoil
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Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 01, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Turkey distributor of the Italian car brand Maserati, which sold 30 cars of the brand each worth 500,000 Turkish Liras last year in Turkey, has announced it reduced its sales target to 20 vehicles this year due to the global turmoil.
Fer Mas Oto, founded in 2005 under the roof of Tofaş, the Turkish manufacturer of cars for Fiat, distributes car brands like Ferrari and Maserati in the country, Orhan Ülger, the firm’s managing director, said during a trip to the southern city of Adana as part of Maserati Roadshow 2009, which was launched in Gaziantep to present Italian luxurious and high performance products.
Before 2003, the firm could sell only five to 10 Ferraris or Maseratis, "But then we expanded our sales by moving to Koç and Tofaş group," he said. "We reached 30 units a year. However, we have reduced our sales target to 20 vehicles this year."
Noting that it is difficult to see the future amid the crisis environment, Ülger said, "I think there is a slight improvement. The crisis is not likely to end quickly. But still, if we can mention these sales figures, it is possible to compensate the declines with some efforts."
Istanbul is the main market for luxury vehicles, Ülger said. "It was necessary to do something to present Maserati to proper clients in Istanbul and preserve its image. We believe we are in a good position with our post-sales services and with our crew. Now, we need further expansion."
For three years, apart from Istanbul, the firm has gone to Bodrum, İzmir, Ankara, and Bursa, he said. "At first we could not get any feedback but then it worked out. Today, we have clients for both brands in those regions. Our brands receive significant attention in the south. Although our sales declined this year, we are hopeful for the future in Turkey."
Before 2003, the firm could sell only five to 10 Ferraris or Maseratis, "But then we expanded our sales by moving to Koç and Tofaş group," he said. "We reached 30 units a year. However, we have reduced our sales target to 20 vehicles this year."
Noting that it is difficult to see the future amid the crisis environment, Ülger said, "I think there is a slight improvement. The crisis is not likely to end quickly. But still, if we can mention these sales figures, it is possible to compensate the declines with some efforts."
Istanbul is the main market for luxury vehicles, Ülger said. "It was necessary to do something to present Maserati to proper clients in Istanbul and preserve its image. We believe we are in a good position with our post-sales services and with our crew. Now, we need further expansion."
For three years, apart from Istanbul, the firm has gone to Bodrum, İzmir, Ankara, and Bursa, he said. "At first we could not get any feedback but then it worked out. Today, we have clients for both brands in those regions. Our brands receive significant attention in the south. Although our sales declined this year, we are hopeful for the future in Turkey."