Automobili Lamborghini, a maker of Italian supercars, remains confident in the Thai market after the brand was caught up in last year's tax avoidance controversy involving unlawfully imported supercars.
Last May, Lamborghini's former authorised importer and distributor in Thailand, Niche Cars Co, was inspected by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on suspicion of connections with a tax evasion network.
According to the Land Transport Department, just two Lamborghinis were registered in the first six months of this year and 14 units were sold in 2017, compared with 38 Lamborghinis sold in 2016.
"We terminated the contract early this year and sought a new partner," said Matteo Ortenzi, Lamborghini's chief executive for Asia-Pacific.
On Thursday, the Bologna-based parent firm appointed Renazzo Motor Co, a subsidiary of Sharich Holding, as the sole dealer and after-sales service provider for Lamborghini automobiles in Thailand.
Thailand is one of Lamborghini's strategic markets in Asia-Pacific, Mr Ortenzi said.
"We expect Thailand to be ranked in the top five markets in this region in the next couple of years," he said.
In 2017, Lamborghini sold 1,000 cars in Asia-Pacific. Japan held the top spot with 411 units sold, followed by Greater China (319) and Australia (131).
For Thailand, Lamborghini forecasts sales of 40-50 cars a year.
ML Nathasit Diskul, Renazzo Motor's managing director, said the company was set up in May with registered capital of 50 million baht.
Lamborghini is the fifth motoring brand under Sharich, which also handles Ducati, Royal Enfield, Niu and BYD.
ML Nathasit said the company is investing 150 million baht to build a new Lamborghini sales outlet of 5,000 square metres on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
The showroom and service centre is scheduled to open towards the end of 2018.
"We can handle more than 1,000 cars a year from this new facility," ML Nathasit said. "We also welcome 300 Lamborghinis registered locally and provide the services with no entry fee."
