VietNamNet Bridge – The first rays of hope have been flashed on the automobile market, but the demand remains weak in the economic downturn. Therefore, selling cars in lots remains the top choice for automobile manufacturers.

On March 6, BMW Euro Auto delivered two BMW520i to Moevenpick Hanoi Hotel. Horst J. Herdtle, General Director of BMW Euro Auto, then expressed his satisfaction about the tightened relation with the world’s leading five-star hotel chain.

Also according to the general manager, selling cars in lots is now one of the most important policies pursued by BMW Euro Auto. In 2010, BMW sold 400,000 cars of different kinds under the mode in Asia.

Cars sold in batches are the ones designed and equipped as ordered by the clients, thus satisfying their specific requirements. BMW Euro Auto now follows the policy on selling cars in lots targeting economic groups, high end hotels and resorts.

Under the policy, the partners who buy cars in lots from BMW Euro Auto can enjoy some preferences. For example, the involved parties would join forces to popularize their images. The buyers can also enjoy the post-sale customer care programs, participate in the training courses on car maintenance for drivers, or join the program on free parking in the central areas of Hanoi and HCM City.

Euro Auto has delivered a lot of car batches over the last two years to big hotels like Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sheraton Saigon, Sheraton Nha Trang, Moevenpick Hanoi, Hilton, and big businesses like Bayer Vietnam and Samsung Vietnam.

There’s another automobile manufacturer who has also developed the policy on selling cars in lots – the giant from Germany Mercedes Benz, which also targets high grade resorts and restaurants.

In November 2012, Mercedes Benz Vietnam wrapped up the deal worth VND21 billion after delivering five S-Class to Park Hyatt Saigon. Prior to that, Mercedes Benz Vietnam also delivered five E250s worth VND10 billion to Sofitel Saigon Plaza.

Park Hyatt has been a big client of Mercedes Benz Vietnam. In 2008, it bought five S350s, while in 2010, it bought five S300Ls and in 2010, it ordered 2 R-Class, one Sprinter and five S-Class.

Peter Alexander Trettin, a senior executive of Daimler Group, the owner of Mercedes Benz brand, affirmed that Mercedes Benz is the top choice of the two thirds of high end hotels in Vietnam.

He also said that Asia is a potential market for high end automobile manufacturer, while Vietnam has become the new destination for the rich travelers in the world’s tourism map.

While Mercedes Benz targets high end resorts and restaurants, Toyota and Ford target companies, agencies and taxi firms. The car sales in 2012 decreased dramatically by 33 percent because of the weaker demand from the public. However, Toyota saw the slighter decrease of 16 percent because it had big orders of selling cars in lots to some clients.

A representative of Toyota Vietnam declined to give the exact number of cars sold under the mode, but he said the number is relatively high. Vinasun, Mai Linh taxi firms, for example, mostly use Toyota’s cars that bear Innova or Vios brands. Meanwhile, 5,000 Daewoo cars were used by taxi firms in Hanoi and HCM City.

Taxi firms are expected to be the big clients for automobile manufacturers. A report showed that there are only 17,000 taxi cars in Vietnam, which is a low number if compared with other regional countries.

DNSG