CORPORATE PROFILE

ASIA MOTORS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED is the importer and distributor of COSMOS buses and Alexander Dennis buses and fire trucks and Daelim motor cycles and motor-scooters

The story of Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Ltd ("AMA") in the Australian automotive industry began 40 years ago when Ian Campbell started his own small auto service business in the Sydney suburb of Carlton in 1962.

The firm was called Ian H Campbell Pty Ltd.

At that time, the business was a service organisation specialising in light to heavy trucks and buses.

In 1968 Ian H Campbell was the first company in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded a Caterpillar dealership outside the USA and was instrumental in the introduction of Caterpillar to the Australian marketplace.
In the early 1970s and 80s, the company designed and manufactured a wide range of heavy and medium duty bus chassis using components sourced from America, such as Caterpillar, Eton, Rockwell and others.

Throughout the years the Ian H Campbell Pty Ltd business has been characterised by a "customer first" attitude to sales, services and spare parts support.

Ian Campbell's company links with the Korean motor industry began in 1981 when he was asked to advise Asia Motors Co. Inc. on manufacturing refinements to heavy duty bus chassis and the importation of the very first motor vehicle out of Korea to Australia, (a left-hand-drive Boxer Bus Chassis). This association progressed through to the full importation and distribution of Kia Motor Corp and Asia Motors Co. Inc products such as the Kia Ceres multipurpose truck, the Asia Combi Mini Bus, the 4x4 Asia Rocsta and, through Itochu, the Kia Mentor and Kia Sportage.
In 1985, Ian Campbell changed his company's name to Kia and Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Limited to reflect the company's exclusive distribution rights with Kia Motors Corp and Asia Motor Co. Inc. of Korea.
Kia & Asia Motors was established to provide expertise in the areas of ADR certification, importation, national distribution, service, technical, support and spare parts backup, especially for emergency parts. An extensive dealer network was recruited.

In 1996, Kia & Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Limited was directed by Kia Motors Corporation to relinquish its rights to the Kia product range to the Japanese company Itochu Ltd, but before doing so Kia & Asia Motors P/ L conducted all the necessary ADR testing requirements for the Kia Sportage and Kia Mentor so they could be sold in the Australian motor vehicle market.

Also in 1996, due to the transfer of the Kia distribution rights to Itochu, Kia & Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Limited changed its name to ASIA MOTORS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED ("AMA")

The financial crisis in the Kia Asia Group in 1996 and the uncertain future during that period caused many of AMA's dealers to loose faith in the products of Kia and Asia. This loss of faith resulted in the products being difficult to promote both to dealers and to end users. This problem was compounded by the lack of product range available to AMA.

In 1998, Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Ltd expanded its business activities by entering the Central European market, after recognising the possible effect the Asian financial crisis could have on the company's established markets. To achieve this European expansion, AMA was successful in sending one sample unit of the Asia Combi Min Bus by air freight from Korea to Slovakia, and obtaining a small order for a further ten units. From this small order Kia/Asia group was able to expand into those markets.

1999 to 2002 - During this time, AMA imported and distributed Kia Cosmos Bare Bus Chassis and the Kia Combi Mini Bus, through a dealer network of 96 Kia dealers nationwide. AMA established consumer confidence in the Kia Marque by supplying its customers unique product diversity at a very competitive price, backed by service and spare parts availability. It also developed new market areas in Australia, including the new RV Motor Home. AMA now has the exclusive rights to supply manufacturers such as Winnebago, Outback Australia and Starwagon with bare chassis for them to build their RV Motor Homes.

2003 - AMA started to import its chassis from Hyundai Motor Company, due to a rationalisation of product between Kia Motor Co Inc and Hyundai Motor Co of Korea. Due to new ADRs introduced into the Australian marketplace, product from Hyundai Motor Company did not meet these new requirements.
Ian Campbell re-engineered the Hyundai bare chassis by fitting the latest ISBE 220 220 hp Cummins Euro III diesel engine to meet the new ADRs and ensuring his company's progress, and maintaining its market share.

On the 1st October 2003, Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Ltd secured the rights to become the sole importer and distributor of Alexander Dennis products from England, beating other major importers and distributors who were eagerly bidding for the rights. The Alexander Dennis arrangement widens AMA's product range and adds a new dimention to the business by the introduction of the Dennis Fire Trucks.

At AMA, we also import and distribute Daelim motorbikes and motor-scooters, and we are preparing an additional web site with all the details.
During 2005, we'll be increasing the range of cycles and expanding our network of dealers, so if you'd like to purchase one of these vehicles, or if you're interested in becoming one of our dealers, please contact us at the phone or fax numbers below, or click the "Contact us" button on the menu at the left.

With our extensive knowledge and experience, and our wide range of products, Asia Motors (Australia) Pty Ltd ("AMA") is well positioned in the Australian bus market to expand operations agressively within our existing company structure and enjoy a steady, controlled growth in the automotive field for many years.