LAHORE, Aug 24: Prestigious German sports car manufacturer, Porsche, announced on Wednesday to extend its presence into what its officials called as highly anticipated Pakistani market by appointing its importer.

“Appointing our importer in Pakistan holds special significance as it extends our presence into an untapped potential market where Porsche is bound to prosper,” Porsche Middle East & Africa Managing Director Deesch Papke told a news conference organized to introduce its importer and brief the media about the company’s future plans in Pakistan.

Porsche importer, Autotechnik (Pvt) Limited, chairman Abuzar Bokhari said some 40 units would be imported during the first year. The first shipment is expected to land in Pakistan in November. He said as many as 11 Porsche had already been “sold”.

In November, he said, “we are going to exhibit the entire range of Porsche products in Lahore.”

The importing company will start its operations with the construction of first Porsche Centre according to the manufacturer’s strict corporate identity guidelines in Lahore. It is expected to become fully operational in the first half of 2006, and will incorporate sales and after sales services.

Another two such centres would be constructed in Karachi and Islamabad, said Mr Papke.

He said extension of Porsche’s operations into Pakistan was part of its regional expansion programme. He said no sales target for the Pakistani market had been set so far. “Actually, we are looking at a long-term relationship with Pakistan and will bring here the entire range of our products.”