Chevrolet opens first flagship centre

The centre will house a showroom, a service centre and spare parts centre, so-called 3S. One of the biggest in the Southeast Asian region, the centre is opened after Chevrolet first distributed vehicles in Myanmar in 2013.

"This is a significant step forward for our plans in Southeast Asia, particularly in a growing market like Myanmar. The new 3S center signals our commitment to invest in Myanmar and to position ourselves for growth in this market. With the increasing affluence of Myanmar people, prospects in this market are positive,” said Tim Zimmerman, president of General Motors Southeast Asia Operations.

The American vehicles have been distributed in Myanmar since 2013.

"Our commitment goes beyond a fresh and complete portfolio of products. We will build relationships and earn customers for life, putting customers at the center of everything we do. At the same time we will serve and improve the communities in which we live and work,” Zimmerman added.

Chevrolet in Myanmar is represented by partner-distributor Pacific Alpine Myanmar. Pacific Alpine is a strategic joint-venture between Alpine Group Singapore and AA Medical Group Myanmar. Alpine Motors, a subsidiary of Alpine Group, is currently Chevrolet's importer-distributor in Singapore while AA Medical Group is one of the largest distributors of pharmaceutical products and petro-chemical lubricants in Myanmar.

Pacific Alpine will leverage Alpine Group's experience in the automotive sector and its        long-standing relationship with Chevrolet while taking advantage of AA Medical Group's comprehensive and nationwide distribution network, retail experience and intimate knowledge of the Myanmar market.

The new 3S center reflects Chevrolet’s commitment in sales and service. It houses a 700 sqm showroom and a 1,965 sqm service area complete with 9 hoists and other equipment. The 3S center will be manned by 33 personnel including eight trained technicians and service advisors. It will also house Chevrolet’s Technical Training Academy, which will be used to provide comprehensive technical training to employees. Upon certification, these employees will be deployed to other Chevrolet 3S centers in other cities, in line with Pacific Alpine's expansion plans.

"The opening of Myanmar’s market and the change in policy on the import of new cars has seen very positive responses from regional and global players. Chevrolet already gained ‘first mover advantage’ when we started distributing Chevrolet vehicles since last year,” said U Zaw Moe Khine, managing director of Pacific Alpine.

"We have sold more than 140 vehicles since the opening of the Hledan Sales Gallery in February this year. This is highly encouraging given the market is still new,” Zaw added.

Latest model launched

Chevrolet currently distributes the Cruze compact sedan, Colorado midsize pickup truck and Trailblazer SUV in Myanmar. To enhance its portfolio, the automaker has launched its latest model, the Spin, at its new 3S center.

Spin is a global sub-compact seven-seater MPV (Multipurpose Vehicle) designed to offer space, comfort, versatility, efficiency and superior ride and handling in an edgy, contemporary and muscular design package. The Spin is affordable, in terms of price and ownership cost – an important consideration for a young market like Myanmar.

“The Spin is perfect for young families and urbanites. The development team, which included engineers from this region, has managed to build a sub-compact MPV that caters specifically to these groups. It has full seven seats, space for all occupants in a quiet, roomy, practical and flexible interior, finished in a fresh and modern exterior,” Zaw said.

Spin’s interior space is utilized as efficiently as possible, including relocating the parking brake lever to make space for cup holders. Despite the focus on space-utilization, ergonomics and accessibility to the vehicle’s controls and switches have not been compromised. In addition to 23 configurable seating positions, the Spin has a total of 32 storage spaces throughout its interior. It also has a cargo capacity of 162 to 1,608 liters depending on how the second- and third-row seats are configured.

Spin is equipped with a fully-independent front and semi-independent rear suspension, tuned to provide best-in-segment ride and handling. It is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder DOHC (Double Overhead Camshafts), 16-valve with Dual-VVT (Dual Variable Valve Timing) gasoline engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with driver-shift control.

Standard equipment include dual air-conditioning (front/rear) for a better comfort guaranteed to all 7 occupants, four-speaker CD/MP3 player, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, DC power outlets, Follow-Me-Home safety function and anti-theft system. It also features ABS  (Anti-Lock Braking System), airbag for driver and passenger, pre-tensioners for the front safety belts and roof rail.

In addition to its new flagship 3S center and a new model, Chevrolet also ensured it fulfilled its purpose to serve and improve communities within which it operates. Towards this end, Chevrolet and One World Futbol Project will donate more than 20,000 One World Futbols to 436 schools throughout the country. The schools are in Basic Education, Yangon Division from Western, Northern, South and Eastern regions. The donation will reach 270 high schools and 166 middle schools, benefitting many thousands of students.

The donation is part of Chevrolet’s three-year partnership with One World Futbol Project that pledges to place 1.5 million One World Futbols with youth in war-stricken zones, refugee camps, disaster areas, and other underprivileged communities around the world. In September 2014, Chevrolet reached a global milestone with the delivery of the 1 millionth One World Futbol donated.

With the opening of its 3S outlet, Chevrolet launches an additional initiative with the Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP), a program that consists in formal classroom training at school. Chevrolet will thus be donating engines and technical parts to these technical institutions in Myanmar through its partner Pacific Alpine.

 “These activities are especially important in Myanmar, where there is a need to support community development as the country undergoes a significant transition," Zaw said.