Puspakom wants you to 'Know Your Vehicle'

With the launch of the 'Know Your Vehicle' campaign, the specialist is targeting to inspect an additional 100,000 passenger cars annually from 2009

VEHICLE inspection specialist Puspakom Sdn Bhd expects to see its market share increase with the launch of its latest campaign called "Know Your Vehicle".

"We currently capture an eight per cent share of the 18 million registered vehicles. We hope to inspect an additional 100,000 passenger cars per year starting 2009," Puspakom chief executive officer Datuk Salamat Wahit told Business Times after the campaign launch recently.

The campaign, held between three and six months, aims to create public awareness of a vehicle's mechanical safety level when on the road and the vehicle's actual identity from a legal perspective.

"It also seeks to educate the public on vehicle inspection and the process. We hope to correct the perception that a vehicle owner will require the services of a middleman when dealing with Puspakom," Salamat said.

He said this is in line with the government's goal to increase education on vehicle road safety and reduce road accidents.

Last year, of the 400,000 vehicles inspected, Puspakom detected about 4,600 vehicles with problems related to engines, tampered chasis numbers and tinted glass.

Salamat said with the recent fuel increase, a benefit of vehicle inspection is to ensure that the engine is running at optimum condition so that fuel is properly burnt and converted into energy.

Meanwhile, Puspakom will invest RM34 million this year to upgrade its computer systems and facilities, including the installation of drive-through counters and CCTVs, and the acquisition of inspection equipment at branches nationwide.

It has also purchased a new inspection mobile unit for RM2 million to operate in Dungun, Kuala Kerai and Port Klang.

Aside from targeting the public, Puspakom hopes to increase its corporate clientele from its current base of 30, which include 17 banks and two insurers.

"We have established the premier service unit to fulfil the high demand from financial institutions, insurers and car dealers to conduct inspections in the clients' premises in the Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Butterworth," he said.