Gears could be shifting soon in the luxury car market in Barbados as the ANSA McAL Group has been awarded the BMW franchise for the Southern Caribbean.
That brand in Barbados is currently handled by Warrens Motors, a member of the Barbados Shipping & Trading group.David Inglefield, president and chief executive officer of ANSA McAL Barbados, confirmed the latest development to BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY, noting that the new business was acquired through its parent company ANSA McAL in Trinidad and Tobago.
“We are giving serious consideration to representing BMW in Barbados and some details are still being finalised,” he explained.
However, if ANSA McAL here takes up the BMW brand it will have to give up its other luxury asset – Audi, which could end up in the hands of another dealership.
Inglefield explained that if ANSA McAL Barbados accepted the BMW business here, “contractually, we would not be able to have the two luxury brands in one franchise”.
The ANSA McAL boss said its car dealership McEnearney Quality Inc. would have to decide which of the two brands it wanted.Inglefield said the local car market was very depressed and was down more than 40 per cent on last year.
He said many Barbadians wanted to buy newer vehicles and upgrade with more efficient cars but were concerned about meeting monthly financial commitments.
“We as a franchise have found ways to package financing and insurance so that we can have turnover and keep our people employed.
It is tough out there, but we have to put together packages that are compelling and make sure that people can afford our products,” the CEO noted.
McEnearney Quality Inc. employs 100 workers.
Efforts to get a comment from officials of Barbados Shipping & Trading were unsuccessful.
