TTC upbeat on German luxury sales

Mercedes-Benz’s dealer TTC Motor Co is optimistic on the sales prospects for German luxury cars this year after being acquired last year.

“The TTC brand has been well known for the past 35 years among Mercedes-Benz’s customers and I think the outlet in Ubon Ratchathani will further help create trust,” said chief executive Akkarin Tangthaweesit.

Founded in 1982, TTC is one of the first generation Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Thailand. Operating its then sole outlet on Pattanakarn Road, the company registered 900 new cars sales last year.

The company was acquired in August last year by another Mercedes-Benz’s dealer in Ubon Ratchathani — Benz VTC Motor Co — in a deal worth 800 million baht.

Upon being acquired, Mr Akkarin, who is also chief executive of Benz VTC, said that he has renamed his company TTC Motor Ubon Ratchathani, which recorded sales of 204 cars last year.

He said that TTC Motor Ubon Ratchathani spent 400 million baht to buy an eight rai plot to construct the new showroom and service centre in Ubon Ratchathani, which started operations on April 27.

For its outlet on Pattanakarn Road, he plans to spend around 15 million baht on renovation this year.

“TTC will maintain its second spot in terms of sales volume from its two outlets in Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani, aiming to sell 1,100 and 250 Mercedes-Benz cars, respectively, or 1,350 combined in 2017,” said Mr Akkarin.

Upcountry, he expects to stay in the top five.

At present, Mercedes-Benz has 32 showrooms and service centres nationwide. Of those, 17 outlets are in Bangkok and surrounding areas and 15 are located upcountry.

Mr Akkarin also announced the company would allocate an investment budget of 520 million baht over the next three to five years to construct new outlets in Bangkok and Surin.

Surin is set to be the next milestone for TTC as demand for luxury cars in the Northeast is strong.

TTC aims to build the outlet on a five rai plot in the province.