By Christopher Tan , Senior Correspondent
Newly appointed Ferrari agent Komoco is rushing to get down to the business of selling new cars and servicing the 300 or so existing Maranello sports cars on the road.
Within a day of getting the nod to replace ex-franchisee Hong Seh Motors on July 6, it started vacating its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Harley-Davidson showrooms in Leng Kee Road.
The American cars are now housed in a shophouse showroom in Bukit Timah while the motorcycle marque is sharing space with Komoco's Hyundai premises in Alexandra Road.
The vacated showrooms are now being renovated but this is believed to be a stop-gap measure.
Ital Auto, a subsidiary set up by Komoco to run the Ferrari franchise, has placed newspaper advertisements for showroom and workshop space.
The ad mentions that the showroom should be 5,000 sq ft in size and the workshop 15,000 sq ft, with space to park at least 20 cars.
It also specified that the facilities - either in one location or separate locations - must be in prestigious districts 9, 10 or 11.
The investment to start up the new franchise, according to industry sources, should be in the region of $10 million.
Meanwhile, the management of Komoco, owned by hotelier Ong Beng Seng and retailer Jopie Ong, have met members of the Ferrari Club's Singapore chapter.
The Sunday Times understands members had raised concerns during the meeting about the new agent's capability in servicing and maintaining the high-tech racers, as well as the status of existing car warranties.
Others had asked when delivery of the new Ferrari California convertible - estimated to cost around $780,000 - will begin.
Nearly 50 people had placed orders with the previous agent but had since got their deposits back.
Club president Dr Ben Neo described the meeting as friendly, adding: "I think they will settle down only some time in September."
The club has 50 members.
Komoco's two main shareholders could not be contacted for comment.
The company's managing director, Mr Teo Hock Seng, declined comment when asked when it will start business or when it will start delivering the first cars.
It is also not known if Komoco had formalised the appointment by signing the importer agreement.
At Ferrari Asia-Pacific's office in Shanghai, spokesman Matteo Bonciani would not be pinned down on when the first California - already available in several markets - will arrive.
"We're like a restaurant that is reopening after a long time," he said.
"People are asking if we will serve fresh ham or imported coffee.
"And we're saying, let us open first and then decide what we'll serve and how we'll serve it."
Hong Seh, which lost its Ferrari franchise after holding it for 25 years, is said to be looking for more new brands to represent.
It currently sells Maseratis, Spykers and Artegas.
It also holds the agency for high-end motorcycle and yacht brands.
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