Auto ConneXion now manages the Ford, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo brands following the restructuring of Sime Darby Bhd's automotive business domestically this year.

All sales and service facilities for Ford, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo nationwide will roll out the Auto ConneXion branding soon as part of a new corporate identity, it said in a statement.

Sime Darby president and group chief executive Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid said multi-franchising is a global trend that benefits both automotive companies and customers.

"It is about expanding our market reach and giving real value to customers.

"By rationalising our back-end operations while maintaining the distinctive brand identities on the retail front, we are able to achieve cost effectiveness and better serve our customers, particularly those outside the Klang Valley," Zubir said in the statement.

Auto ConneXion will launch a host of new Ford, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo models over the next few months.

Following on the heels of the successful launch of the new Ford Ranger XL 4X4 pick-up recently, it will launch the new facelift Ford Focus Sport hatchback, the Mondeo sedan, the facelift Escape SUV and the S-Max MPV in the first quarter of 2009.

For Land Rover enthusiasts, the widely acclaimed and much-awaited Freelander 2 and the latest versions of the Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover premium sport utility vehicles (SUVs) will be on sale from November 2008.

For Alfa enthusiasts, the 159 sedan, Brera coupe, Mito hatchback, Spyder convertible and Alfa GT will be making their way into Auto ConneXion's Alfa showrooms by March 2009.

Auto ConneXion is now running a five-month, inflation-busting aftersales campaign offering significant savings on standard engine oil service of any Ford, Land Rover and Alfa Romeo vehicle, regardless of age and model.