Bufori comeback?

Small volume car-maker Bufori wants to return to its Australian roots

The formerly Australian limited-build car games company Bufori is considering a return of its operations to Australia after relocating to Malaysia in the late 1990s.

Best known for its VW beetle-based Mark 1 introduced and built here in the late 1980s and subsequently replaced by the Holden V6-powered Mark 2 in 1994, Bufori was established in Sydney by Gerry Khouri and his brothers Anthony and George in the mid 1980s.

In the intervening years the company has continued developing new models out of its headquarters in Malaysia and in 2010 displayed its new Mark 4 luxury four-door sedan at the Geneva motor show.

Currently the company has a build capacity of around 200 vehicles annually, selling in markets such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Russia and China. At present it is readying to deliver a car to the prince of a “very wealthy country.”

Bufori’s model lineup at the moment includes the Geneva sedan aimed at the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and the La Joya two-seat sports coupe that is the spiritual successor to the original Mark 1. Also on the drawing board to become a production reality is the Bufori Motor Sport R1 that first appeared as a racetrack special at the 2009 Macau GT Cup race.

Bufori displayed its La Joya coupe at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne and is actively pursuing sales of the model here in Australia.

Marketing manager Cameron Pollard, who is currently in Australia to raise local awareness of the company, said Bufori would be keen to resume operations here if a viable business model drawing on state or federal government assistance can be drawn up.

The company has expertise in areas of manufacturing that could be beneficial to the defence and marine industries, he says “This company is made up of people, not robots, which brings skills not available in more automated operations.”

Part of his promotion of the company’s products includes two La Joya models from the Melbourne  motor show that are currently being made available for inspection by interested potential buyers.

Although it presents similar themes to the original Mark 1 – that is, it was inspired by 1930s-era sports cars -  the La Joya is an altogether different animal with its coupe body style, mid-mounted Hyundai-sourced V6 engine and all-independent suspension.

A base price of $220,000 applies, although, as Pollard says, most cars are built to customer requirements, with a much higher degree of personalisation than normally available even from manufacturers of exclusive luxury cars.

If a buyer wants precious stones built into the dash display, Bufori will do it. If the 2.7-litre engine doesn’t put out enough power, a supercharger option is available to address the problem. If you want gold, rather than merely metallic flakes in the paintwork, no problem. And if you want finer perforations in the roof lining than standard, that can be done too.

The company builds itself around quality, which is why you’ll find top-quality leather trim throughout, genuine French-polished walnut burl on the dash and a set of Snap-On tools in the kit fitted beneath the La Joya’s long bonnet.

Dynamic claims for the car are significant. With its composite body construction, independent wishbone suspension and “mid” mounted east-west V6 engine the La Joya has the right basics, although it is described more as a luxury tourer than a sports car.

One thing about Bufori stands out above all else: Consider the number of small-volume car-makers who have set up in the 25 years or so it has been in existence, then list those who are still in operation and still doing the same things – at a much- evolved level - they did at the start. Not many are there?

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