World's biggest Porsche Centre opens in Johannesburg

27.05.2008 / Johannesburg-Cairo-Stuttgart /

Porsche Centres in Germany are always an eye-catcher as they are usually state-of-the-art buildings. Such a centre has now been opened in Johannesburg. Just over a year after construction began, the new Porsche Centre Johannesburg, will be opened today by Mr Klaus Berning, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany.

Built on 18,700 square metres of land, the new Porsche Centre reflects a strong commitment to the Porsche Brand in South Africa with a total investment of 110 million Rand.

According to LSM Distributors PTY Ltd. Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Toby Venter, the new Porsche Centre is the largest in the world with its 11,948 sqm. However, he points out that the new centre was not designed with the plan of being the largest, but rather to meet LSM Distributors?´ operational needs. As a result, he states: "We see this flagship Porsche Centre as a destination. Built to the latest worldwide Porsche corporate identity, this truly impressive facility will bring together all the benefits Porsche customers could possibly need under one roof. The magnificent 2,000 sqm showroom is complemented by 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."

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 Porsche 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.

As June 8th 2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of Porsche, it is fitting that on the eve of this milestone in Porsche?´s history that LSM Distributors open a state of the art Porsche Centre in Johannesburg.

"More importantly", comments 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."

I hope we will see such a Porsche Center in Egypt soon, especially since the Porsche Cayenne is one of the most popular luxury SUVs in Egypt.