Kuala Lumpur, 7 June 2008 – Malaysian luxury automobile manufacturer Bufori enjoyed another memorable occasion at SMIDEX 2008 when Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the company’s exhibition stand at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 4 June 2008.
Following his visit to Bufori at the previous year’s exhibition, the Prime Minister once again took time to admire the company’s handcrafted luxury automobiles. During his visit, he personally experienced the Bufori MKIII La Joya, taking a seat behind the steering wheel and examining the vehicle’s luxurious interior, instrumentation and distinctive craftsmanship.
The occasion attracted considerable attention from members of the media and exhibition visitors, providing Bufori with another opportunity to showcase Malaysia’s achievements in the design and manufacture of exclusive luxury motor cars.
Malaysian Priminister YAB Abullah Badawi and Gerry Khouri of Bufori
Organised by the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC), SMIDEX 2008 took place from 4 to 6 June under the theme “Strategic Partnership: Regional Links, Global Reach.” The exhibition brought together Malaysian manufacturers, multinational corporations, government agencies and international trade representatives to encourage business collaboration and promote the global competitiveness of Malaysian enterprises.
This year’s exhibition featured 335 participating companies across 477 booths, highlighting the diversity and capabilities of Malaysia’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
For the occasion, Bufori presented two examples of its distinctive MKIII La Joya, one finished in elegant metallic silver and the other in a luxurious champagne-gold colour. Displayed beneath the company’s illuminated emblem, the vehicles demonstrated the extensive personalisation possibilities available to Bufori customers.
The Prime Minister’s visit provided a particularly memorable highlight, with his personal interest in the La Joya reinforcing the significance of Malaysia’s homegrown specialist automotive industry.
Bufori booth at SMIDEX 2008.
Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, personally welcomed the Prime Minister and introduced him to the vehicle’s distinctive features. During the visit, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi went a step further than simply admiring the automobile, starting the La Joya’s engine while seated behind its steering wheel. The moment was captured by photographers and members of the media gathered around the vehicle.
The Prime Minister’s return to the Bufori stand for the second consecutive year represented a particularly proud moment for the company and its team of Malaysian craftsmen.
Gerry Khouri, Founder and Managing Director of Bufori, commented:
“We are extremely honoured to welcome the Prime Minister to Bufori once again. His interest in our automobiles is a tremendous source of pride for everyone involved in their creation.
As an independent manufacturer, we have always believed that Malaysia possesses the talent, skills and determination to produce truly exceptional luxury motor cars. Seeing the Prime Minister personally experience the La Joya and start its engine is a very special moment for our entire team.
Our ambition is to continue building automobiles that reflect the highest standards of craftsmanship and individuality, while proudly demonstrating Malaysian manufacturing capabilities to the world.”
The Bufori MKIII La Joya, whose name means “The Jewel” in Spanish, combines styling inspired by the elegant automobiles of the 1930s with contemporary automotive engineering and technology.
Designed, developed and handcrafted at Bufori’s manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur, the two-seater luxury coupé features a lightweight composite body incorporating carbon fibre and Kevlar, a V6 powertrain and luxurious interior appointments.
Each automobile is individually built and offers extensive opportunities for personalisation, allowing customers to select bespoke exterior finishes, fine leather upholstery and distinctive interior details.
Bufori’s participation at SMIDEX 2008 also highlighted the company’s contribution to Malaysia’s specialist automotive industry. Alongside established manufacturers such as Proton, Perodua and Honda, Bufori participated in automotive business matching activities designed to strengthen relationships between manufacturers and local suppliers.
The exhibition was particularly significant for Malaysia’s small and medium-sized enterprise sector, with the Prime Minister announcing plans to transform SMIDEC into SME Corporation Malaysia, strengthening the coordination of national SME development initiatives.
For Bufori, the event provided another valuable opportunity to engage with industry representatives, prospective customers and business partners while demonstrating the capabilities of an independent Malaysian manufacturer operating in the international luxury automobile market.
Following successful appearances at prestigious automotive exhibitions in New York, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Dubai, Bufori continued to build international recognition for its distinctive automobiles.
The Prime Minister’s second visit to the Bufori exhibition stand, culminating in his personal experience behind the wheel of the La Joya, represented another memorable chapter in the company’s history and an encouraging acknowledgement of Malaysian automotive craftsmanship.
