KYIV. July 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – One of the largest corporations in Japan, Mitsubishi Corporation, and NIKO Group have created a joint venture MMC Ukraine LLC (Kyiv) with 60% and 40% shares respectively. The company is a new Mitsubishi car distributor in Ukraine.
MMC Ukraine has been a representative of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Ukraine and Moldova since May 10, 2016.
Hiroaki Ozawa has been appointed director general of the company.
“Bringing of a new distributor to the Ukrainian market is not only the high-profile event for the Ukrainian automobile market in general, but also the positive indicator for resumption of foreign investment inflow to Ukraine. The new distributor sets an ambitious goal: to occupy 3.5% of the market in 2016,” the company said in a press release.
The company told Interfax-Ukraine that at present, the brand share of the market is 1.63%.
An upward trend in sales and the potential of the SUV segment where most Mitsubishi models are present confirm optimistic prospects on the Ukrainian market.
The Mitsubishi model range of the brand will be presented by new models of this year – Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Mitsubishi L200, and upgraded Mitsubishi ASX and Mitsubishi Outlander.
“The task of MMC Ukraine is to provide as close as possible cooperation with the manufacturer, adapt the Mitsubishi model range to the specifics of exploitation in Ukraine, provide for quick entrance of new models to the Ukrainian market and provide warranty and post-warranty servicing of cars, delivery spare parts and accessories,” the company said.
The new distributor will also service Mitsubishi cars bought before May 10, 2016.
The company intends to expand its dealer chain. Today it includes 26 centers in 21 cities of Ukraine and one car center in Moldova.
The NIKO Group’s core activity is automotive business (import, distribution, retail sales and service), operations in the financial sector (insurance, leasing, financing and lending, investment and asset management), construction, transport, and customs brokerage services.
The automobile business includes imports and distribution (Mitsubishi Motors and ExxonMobil brands), retail sales (the NIKO dealer chain includes 16 dealer centers of such brands as Mitsubishi, Mazda, Nissan, Citroёn, Peugeot, Ford, Renault, Audi, Fiat, Suzuki and Yamaha).
