Looks like doing the VW business in Malaysia is not working out for some dealers. There is one less place in Malaysia to buy, service and maintain your brand new Volkswagen right now. We were informed a few weeks ago that the FA Wagen Volkswagen PJ showroom, sales, service and spare parts outlet along the busy Jalan 222 in Petaling Jaya was going to close for business.
We took a drive past and noticed at the time they were still in business, well barely, with a handful of cars in the workshop and a few new Volkswagen units in the showroom.
Then last week Thursday we drove past this Jalan 222 Volkswagen showroom again on our way to a meeting and we saw the showroom as you see here in these pictures. Completely shut and out of business.
A quick check of the company website also confirms that this Volkswagen showroom is closed as there is no mention of it anywhere.
We then contacted a spokesperson from FA Wagen and their reply was the low business volume and the slowing market sentiment had forced their business to close down.
With this closure we are now looking at other Volkswagen outlets to see if they are continuing their business or not.
For your information: FA Wagen Sdn. Bhd. (FAW) is an authorized dealer for Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia and offers the full range of Volkswagen products and services. Since opening its first dealership in June 2007, FAW has grown with locations around the country and today they still operate in Selangor (Glenmarie), one in Kuala Lumpur (Sri Hartamas), and one in Johor (Skudai).
FA Wagen is part of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad (FAHB) and they go back to the year 1960 when Federal Auto Co. Ltd. was founded in Penang by four businessmen. The first car brand handled by the company was Volvo, a brand which it would become synonymous with in the years that followed.
In 2005, MBM Resources Bhd (MBM) acquired a majority share (69.6%) in the group. The new ownership by this public-listed company saw FAHB gain stronger impetus in its growth and development as it approached its 50th anniversary.
At all the sales outlets, which are open 7 days a week, customers can view and test-drive the latest Volkswagen models. Fully qualified Volkswagen-trained Sales Consultants are on hand to provide information as well as well as assist them in the purchase process. Financial and insurance services are also available for the convenience of customers.
One of the outlets (Sri Hartamas) is a 3S centre offering sales, service and spare parts. FAW was the first Volkswagen dealership in Malaysia to open a 4S centre in February 2012. It has two such centres today which offer state-of-the-art Body and Paint (B&P) facilities at Glenmarie and JB. At these B&P facilities, re-spray and touch-up services are available along with minor and major repair services for accident damage. Only Volkswagen Genuine Parts are used and should there be warranty claims, all FAW service centres are authorized to verify and process the claims.
