Kuala Lumpur, 4 June 2010 – Malaysian luxury automobile manufacturer Bufori successfully participated in SMIDEX 2010, showcasing two distinctly different interpretations of the company’s automotive engineering and manufacturing capabilities: the luxurious Bufori MKIII La Joya and the Bufori BMS R2 racing car.
Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 1 to 3 June 2010, the 13th annual SME Innovation Showcase was organised by SME Corporation Malaysia under the theme “Pioneering Business Transformation through Innovation.” The exhibition brought together Malaysian manufacturers, entrepreneurs, government agencies and industry representatives to showcase innovation, technological development and the capabilities of Malaysia’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
For the occasion, Bufori presented an elegant two-tone grey MKIII La Joya alongside the striking BMS R2, finished in matte metallic grey with distinctive motorsport graphics and a prominent rear wing. Displayed beneath the company’s illuminated emblem, the two automobiles demonstrated the remarkable diversity of Bufori’s engineering expertise, spanning traditional handcrafted luxury motor cars and modern high-performance racing vehicles.
Bufori BMS R2 on display at SMIDEX 2010
The Bufori BMS R2 represented a significant development in the company’s motorsport activities, building upon the experience gained with its predecessor, the Bufori BMS R1, which made its competitive debut at the 56th Macau Grand Prix in November 2009.
Developed by Bufori Motor Sports (BMS) in collaboration with Axle Motorsport, the original BMS R1 competed in the Macau GT Cup on the demanding Guia Circuit, driven by former Formula One driver Alex Yoong. The project brought together Malaysian engineering expertise and experienced international motorsport professionals, demonstrating the company’s ambition to extend its capabilities beyond traditional luxury automobile manufacturing.
The experience gained during the Macau event provided valuable information for the continued development of Bufori’s modern sports car programme. The BMS R2 represented the next stage of this development, incorporating the lessons learned from the company’s first international GT racing appearance.
With its low, aerodynamic bodywork, wide stance, prominent rear wing and exposed competition powertrain, the BMS R2 offered visitors a glimpse into a very different side of Bufori, one focused on performance, advanced engineering and motorsport technology.
Bufori BMS R2 and Bufori MKIII La Joya at SMIDEX 2010
Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, commented:
“Most people know Bufori for our handcrafted luxury automobiles with their distinctive classic styling. However, engineering and innovation have always been fundamental to our company.
Our participation in the Macau Grand Prix last year was an important milestone. It allowed us to take our engineering capabilities into a highly demanding motorsport environment and gain valuable experience that we can apply to future developments.
The BMS R2 represents the continuation of this programme and demonstrates that Bufori is capable of producing not only exclusive luxury automobiles, but also modern, high-performance sports cars developed here in Malaysia.”
Alongside the racing car, the Bufori MKIII La Joya represented the company’s established philosophy of traditional craftsmanship, individuality and timeless design.
Inspired by the elegant automobiles of the 1930s, the two-seater luxury coupé combines distinctive contemporary-classic styling with modern engineering and technology. Its lightweight composite body, incorporating carbon fibre and Kevlar, is complemented by a V6 powertrain and luxurious interior appointments.
Individually handcrafted at Bufori’s manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur, each La Joya can be extensively personalised according to its owner’s preferences, from exterior colours and fine leather upholstery to bespoke interior finishes and equipment.
The contrasting presentation of the La Joya and BMS R2 highlighted Bufori’s ability to apply its expertise in specialist manufacturing, composite materials and vehicle development across very different automotive applications.
Bufori booth at SMIDEX 2010
Felix Haller, General Manager of Bufori, commented:
“By displaying the La Joya and BMS R2 together, we wanted to demonstrate the full extent of Bufori’s capabilities. One represents our tradition of handcrafted luxury automobiles, while the other reflects our commitment to developing modern sports cars and advanced automotive technologies.
The motorsport programme is particularly important because it allows us to explore and validate engineering solutions under demanding conditions. Ultimately, our objective is to transfer the knowledge and technology gained through racing into the development of our future road cars.”
Bufori’s participation at SMIDEX 2010 also reflected the broader objectives of the exhibition, which sought to encourage Malaysian enterprises to move towards higher-value activities through innovation, technological advancement and product development.
As an independent, low-volume automobile manufacturer, Bufori occupies a specialised position within Malaysia’s automotive industry. The company designs, engineers and manufactures its vehicles in Kuala Lumpur, combining skilled craftsmanship with modern production techniques and advanced composite technologies.
Exhibiting alongside established Malaysian automotive manufacturers and technology companies, Bufori demonstrated that local engineering capabilities extend beyond conventional vehicle assembly and mass production into the development of exclusive luxury automobiles and purpose-built racing cars.
Following the company’s international motorsport debut in Macau, the presentation of the BMS R2 at SMIDEX 2010 marked another step in the evolution of Bufori’s sports car programme.
For Bufori, the exhibition provided an opportunity to demonstrate its continued commitment to innovation while reinforcing the company’s ambition to establish Malaysia as a recognised centre for specialist luxury and performance automobile manufacturing.
