TOA Venture Holding (TOAVH), a dealer of multiple car brands, plans to spend 200 million baht developing the first luxury Mercedes-Benz showroom in Pattaya to serve growing demand for this brand in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The new showroom, comprising a display area, a service centre and a body and paint shop on an area of three rai, will open in March next year to help the company boost car sales in the EEC, said Nattavuth Tangkaravakoon, president of TOAVH.
"We see an opportunity in the EEC where many prospective customers, both locals and foreigners, want to buy premium cars," he said.
The premium car segment continues to grow in the EEC, thanks to the recovery of the tourism industry and the much-touted EEC scheme that attracts more investors, especially from China.
Chinese investors appear to have high demand for Mercedes-Benz cars.
TOAVH, which sells Mercedes-Benz, MG and Suzuki cars, was recently appointed by Mercedes-Benz Thailand to be its official dealer in the EEC, which covers parts of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.
The company runs a Mercedes-Benz showroom in Bangkok. It also operates 10 MG showrooms and three Suzuki showrooms in many provinces.
Jirapol Rujivipat, managing director of TOAVH's subsidiary Primus Autohaus Co, said he expects the Pattaya showroom to initially have 300 bookings of Mercedes-Benz cars and the number will increase, driven by the promotion of investments in the EEC and tourism's recovery.
TOAVH expects total car sales under the three brands in 2022 to reach a target of 900 units, a year-on-year increase of 10%.
From January to September this year, car sales rose by 25% year-on-year, but full-year growth will depend on the last quarter.
"Last year, our total sales stood at 700 cars," said Mr Nattavuth.
TOAVH set a sales target of 1,000 cars next year, thanks to the recovery of the economy.
It expects car manufacturers to increase prices next year. This will encourage people to make faster purchase decisions within this year.
