VW predicts car boom in Asia Pacific

VW predicts car boom in Asia Pacific

BONN: The Asia-Pacific region will catch up with North America
in terms of car sales by the turn of the century, according to
Germany's largest car-maker, Volkswagen.

VW also says the Asia-Pacific region will replace North
America as the world's biggest car market by the year 2005.

Betting on a big boom in Asia, Volkswagen upgraded its
Singapore office today to a regional business headquarters with
an eye to expand its market position and intensify its services
in the region, the company said.

According to a press release issued by Volkswagen on Tuesday,
the company expects the Asian car market to expand by two million
cars over the next five years to 10 million, a figure comparable
to car sales in North America.

By 2005, Volkswagen believes the Asian-Pacific region will
become the world's largest car market.

To make full use of the upcoming market opportunities,
Volkswagen plans to use Singapore as a base to manage and co-
ordinate sales, marketing and service activities of the company's
five brands -- Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, and VW Light
Commercials -- in the region.