Porsche inaugurate largest centre in Johannesburg

Johannesburg: To mark the 60th anniversary of Porsche, Klaus Berning, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Porsche AG, South Africa, inaugurated the new Porsche Centre in Johannesburg, on 8 June 2008. The construction of the new 110 million R centre, which began just over a year spans across 18,700 square metres of land reflecting a strong commitment to the Porsche brand in South Africa. 

Toby Venter, LSM Distributors PTY Ltd Group, chief executive officer, says , the new Porsche Centre is one of the largest in the world, designed with the plan to meet LSM Distributors' operational needs.

The centre is built to the latest global Porsche corporate identity, which will bring together all the benefits Porsche customers could possibly need under one roof. The centre houses a magnificent 2,000 sqm showroom with a coffee shop where customers can relax and enjoy the new and modern surroundings. The Porsche Design Driver's Selection outlet for the total Porsche retail experience is yet another new feature, Venter added.
 
The new Porsche Centre will host a national training centre with high-tech audio-visual and conference facilities with a 72-seater auditorium for national training initiatives, car launches, press conferences, and Porsche Club functions.

In addition, customers will benefit from a state-of-the-art service centre which comprises a workshop including body shop and separate pre-delivery centre. A large parts warehouse supplies both the dealership and distribution channels around South Africa. The first floor of the building will accommodate the headquarters of the importership business.
 
South Africa has been an important market for the German automaker since 1952 when the first cars arrived in the country. The Porsche brand has built up a loyal following with South African motoring enthusiasts and has grown constantly over the years.

''More importantly'', states Venter, ''the Centre's construction seeks to reinvest in and demonstrate commitment to our customers and to the Porsche brand and is the first in a series of developments we are undertaking around the country. This is in line with Porsche's clear strategy of ongoing growth and development.

We have already broken ground in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban, and Porsche customers in Cape Town can look forward to modern facilities as construction commences at a new site in Century City during September this year,'' he added.

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