Worldwide Motors Company Ltd (WMC) – Cambodia’s leading distributor of Chinese vehicles – continues to expand its range with the signing of an agreement with major automaker Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

Peang Mann, the CEO of the Phnom Penh-based importer of new cars, said the development reflects the increasing demand for Chinese vehicles, with three models of the Dongfeng G500 compact crossover SUV (pictured) to go on sale early next year.

The Dongfeng IX5 and IX7 SUVs are set to follow later in 2022.

“This agreement with Dongfeng allows us to offer Cambodians even more choice of quality Chinese-made vehicles, as people increasingly understand that Chinese cars are as high quality as anything else available on the market but represent far more value for money.

“The Cambodian market is growing and there are now greater opportunities than ever for Cambodians to own brand-new Chinese cars,” said Mann, who is also the chairman of WMC.

Dongfeng – traditionally one of China’s “Big Four” automakers – joins WMC’s comprehensive range of Chinese vehicles, which includes Great Wall saloons and pick-ups, SUVs from Haval, Zotye, Huanghai, Traum and FAW, as well as BAW minivans.

Founded in 1969, Dongfeng – which means “east wind” in Chinese – employed some 150,000 people and boasted sales revenue of $90 billion as of 2018. With more than 3.5 million complete vehicles built, it was the second-largest Chinese vehicle maker by volume in 2014.

Established in 2013, with its head office located on Russian Federation Boulevard in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, the company has opened three further branches, with another on the capital’s St 2004 in Sen Sok and two more in Porsenchey district.

This expansion has come to meet the growing needs of customers who want modern, high quality and affordable new cars, with WMC, pre-pandemic, seeing a 60 per cent increase in sales of Chinese cars in 2019 compared to 2018.

With its years of experience, impeccable reputation and history of success in the brand-new car market, WMC has obtained the exclusive rights to import and distribute cars from top Chinese brands such as ZX Auto, Bestune, Changhe, Kaiyi, Hawtai, Kenbo and Bisu.

The vehicles available at WMC all boast high power, low fuel consumption and top build quality, as well as high safety system, strong body and chassis, airbags, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) brakes that can ensure safety and confidence in driving on all road conditions.

As well as producing a range of commercial and consumer vehicles, Dongfeng also manufactures parts and cooperates with foreign companies, with joint ventures with the world’s top carmakers, including Peugeot, Honda, Citroen, Nissan and Renault.

Mann believes that the undoubted benefits they bring mean Chinese vehicles will be an increasingly ubiquitous sight.

“Having seen the potential market opportunities, we are expanding our cooperations and our brand by exclusively importing and distributing Chinese vehicles in Cambodia under the WMC brand.

“People are starting to realise more and more that the quality of Chinese vehicles is at least as good if not better than other products on the market.

“We are confident that in the coming years, Chinese cars will be increasingly common on the Kingdom’s roads and leaders in the Cambodian automobile market,” said Mann.

And Mann remains steadfast in his goal of encouraging Cambodians to own their own brand new car, as an investment while bringing the benefits of increased safety, while the latest technology means they are far more environmentally friendly.

“We have introduced methods to help finance our clients through our financial partners, including banks such as Shinhan Bank, KB Finance, Acleda Bank and ABA Bank, as well as microfinance institutions.

“We also offer a wide range of services starting from car loans with one-to-seven year terms with the lowest interest rates.

“WMC is committed to helping those who wish to purchase a new car, such as introducing tailored options to meet the needs of each customer such as with special offers, guarantees and maintenance services,” Mann said.