Kuala Lumpur, 4 June 2010 – Malaysian luxury automobile manufacturer Bufori enjoyed a distinguished occasion at SMIDEX 2010 when Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak visited the company’s exhibition stand on 2 June 2010, taking a personal interest in its handcrafted luxury automobiles and motorsport engineering capabilities.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, who introduced him to the company’s latest developments and explained the engineering and craftsmanship behind its distinctive automobiles.
During the visit, Najib personally inspected the Bufori MKIII La Joya, taking a seat inside its luxurious cabin and examining the handcrafted interior, instrumentation and appointments. He also took an interest in the company’s engineering activities, including the development of its high-performance BMS racing cars.
The occasion attracted considerable attention from exhibition visitors, government representatives and members of the media, providing Bufori with an opportunity to demonstrate Malaysia’s capabilities in specialist luxury automobile manufacturing.
Prime Minister Najib Razak visiting Bufori at SMIDEX 2010
Held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 1 to 3 June 2010, the 13th annual SMIDEX SME Innovation Showcase was organised by SME Corporation Malaysia under the theme “Pioneering Business Transformation through Innovation.”
The exhibition brought together Malaysian enterprises, multinational corporations, government agencies and international business representatives, highlighting the importance of innovation, technological advancement and higher-value manufacturing in strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness.
Prime Minister Najib had officially opened the exhibition on 1 June, emphasising the importance of creativity and innovation in transforming Malaysian businesses and enabling them to compete more effectively in international markets.
For the occasion, Bufori showcased two contrasting automobiles: the MKIII La Joya luxury coupé and the BMS R2 racing car, demonstrating the company’s versatility in traditional craftsmanship and modern performance engineering.
Finished in elegant metallic silver, the MKIII La Joya represented Bufori’s established philosophy of creating exclusive, individually handcrafted luxury motor cars. Inspired by the graceful styling of automobiles from the 1930s, the two-seater coupé combines contemporary-classic design with modern engineering, technology and extensive personalisation.
Prime Minister visiting Bufori at SMIDEX 2010
The Bufori BMS R2, meanwhile, represented the company’s growing involvement in motorsport and high-performance vehicle development. An evolution of the BMS R1, which competed in the Macau GT Cup during the 56th Macau Grand Prix in November 2009, the R2 reflected Bufori’s commitment to advancing its engineering capabilities through international motorsport.
The two automobiles highlighted the breadth of the company’s expertise, from traditional coachbuilding and luxurious interior craftsmanship to advanced composite materials, vehicle development and performance engineering.
Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, commented:
“We are extremely honoured that the Prime Minister took the time to visit Bufori and personally experience our automobiles. It is a very proud moment for our entire team, particularly the Malaysian craftsmen, engineers and technicians whose dedication and skills make these vehicles possible.
What makes Bufori unique is that we design, engineer and manufacture our automobiles here in Malaysia. Whether it is a handcrafted luxury coupé like the La Joya or a modern racing car such as the BMS R2, both demonstrate the talent and capabilities that exist within our country.
We have always believed that Malaysia can produce highly sophisticated, exclusive automobiles that are capable of competing on the international stage. The Prime Minister’s interest in our work is very encouraging as we continue to develop the company and expand our international presence.”
Bufori BMS R2 at SMIDEX 2010
The Prime Minister’s visit marked another memorable occasion for Bufori, following earlier visits to the company’s exhibition stands by his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at SMIDEX in 2007 and 2008.
As an independent, low-volume manufacturer, Bufori occupies a specialised position within Malaysia’s automotive industry. Unlike conventional mass-production operations, the company focuses on the design and manufacture of individually handcrafted automobiles, combining advanced engineering with traditional craftsmanship and extensive customer personalisation.
Bufori’s participation at SMIDEX 2010 reflected the exhibition’s emphasis on innovation and business transformation, demonstrating how specialist Malaysian manufacturers can develop distinctive, high-value products for international markets.
The company’s motorsport activities further illustrated its commitment to research and development, providing valuable experience in performance engineering, advanced materials and vehicle technology.
The Prime Minister getting comfortable in teh Bufori MKIII La Joya
For Bufori, the Prime Minister’s personal interest in its luxury automobiles and motorsport programme represented another significant milestone in the company’s history, reinforcing its ambition to showcase Malaysian engineering excellence and craftsmanship on the world stage.
