Sydney, 22 October 2007 – Luxury automobile manufacturer Bufori celebrated a successful return to its Australian roots at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour from 11 to 21 October 2007.
The exhibition marked a particularly significant milestone for the independent carmaker, which was founded in Sydney in 1986 by brothers Gerry, Anthony and George Khouri. Following its relocation to Malaysia during the 1990s, Bufori had been largely absent from the Australian automotive scene for 14 years.
Now, more than two decades after its establishment, the company returned to the city where its story began, presenting the latest evolution of its distinctive handcrafted luxury automobiles.
The Khouri brothers posing in front of a Bufori MKIII La Joya
For the occasion, Bufori showcased its MKIII La Joya, with several examples finished in elegant metallic colours, including deep burgundy and silver. The automobiles were presented on an impressive exhibition stand featuring the company’s distinctive emblem, luxurious appointments and a rotating display platform.
The exhibition attracted considerable attention from visitors, motoring enthusiasts and members of the Australian automotive media, many of whom were familiar with Bufori’s early roadsters but were discovering the sophistication and craftsmanship of the MKIII La Joya for the first time.
Bufori MKIII La Joya at AIMS 2007.
The company’s return also received coverage from prominent Australian motoring publications, including GoAuto and CarsGuide, which highlighted the transformation of Bufori from a small Sydney-based manufacturer into an internationally established producer of exclusive handcrafted luxury automobiles.
The Bufori MKIII La Joya, whose name means “The Jewel” in Spanish, represents a significant evolution from the company’s earlier models. Inspired by the elegant automobiles of the 1930s, the distinctive coupé combines timeless contemporary-classic styling with modern automotive engineering, advanced technology and luxurious appointments.
Khouri Brothers with the Bufori MKIII La Joya
Beneath its nostalgic exterior, the La Joya features a lightweight composite body incorporating carbon fibre and Kevlar, a mid-mounted 2.7-litre V6 engine and a sophisticated chassis developed to deliver a refined and engaging driving experience.
Its handcrafted cabin features fine leather upholstery, French-polished wood trim, luxurious carpeting and intricate detailing, reflecting Bufori’s philosophy of creating automobiles that are both distinctive and highly individual.
Unlike conventional mass-produced vehicles, every La Joya is individually handcrafted at Bufori’s manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Customers can extensively personalise their automobiles, selecting from an almost limitless range of exterior colours, premium leathers, interior finishes and bespoke appointments.
Bufori MKIII La Joya at AIMS2007 in Sydney.
Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, commented:
“Coming back to Sydney is a very special occasion for us. This is where Bufori was born more than twenty years ago, when my brothers and I started building cars with the simple ambition of creating something different.
Since then, the company has grown tremendously. We now have our own manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, where a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen and engineers produces automobiles for customers around the world.
What is particularly rewarding is seeing the reaction of Australian visitors who remember our original cars and are now discovering the La Joya. Although our cars have become far more sophisticated, the philosophy remains unchanged. Every Bufori is still individually handcrafted with the same passion, attention to detail and commitment to quality that inspired us from the beginning.”
The Australian International Motor Show also marked the official introduction of the MKIII La Joya to the Australian market, providing local customers with an opportunity to experience the company’s latest creation firsthand.
The return to Australia formed part of Bufori’s broader international development strategy, following successful appearances at major automotive exhibitions in New York, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Dubai.
With its established appreciation for specialist automobiles, automotive craftsmanship and individual motoring experiences, Australia remains a market of particular significance to the company.
Bufori MKIII La Joya at AIMS2007 in Sydney.
For Bufori, however, the exhibition represented considerably more than a commercial opportunity. It was a celebration of the marque’s origins and a chance to reconnect with the country in which the Bufori story first took shape.
The successful homecoming also demonstrated the company’s remarkable evolution from its modest beginnings as a family venture in Sydney to a specialist luxury automobile manufacturer with its own research, development and production capabilities in Malaysia.
Bufori booth at AIMS 2007 in Sydney
As the 2007 Australian International Motor Show drew to a close, Bufori could look back on an exhibition that had reconnected the brand with its heritage, introduced the MKIII La Joya to a new generation of Australian enthusiasts and laid the foundations for its renewed presence in the Australian luxury automobile market.
For Bufori, returning to Sydney after 14 years was not simply a return to where it all began. It was an opportunity to demonstrate how far the company had come.
