Glenn Tan, Executive Director of Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), expects product volume of Subaru within the region to double within the next three to four years time after an impressive 2012.

Subaru is sold in small numbers in Singapore, about 150 units last year, but the sports-oriented maker is expanding through the region - with strong demand from Philippines and an expanding interest in Taiwan.

TCIL distributes the Japanese brand via Motor Image in 10 countries - Mostly from South East Asia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. With production boosted by the new assembly plant in Malaysia, around 10,000 units are expected to be sold in four other countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan) this year.

TCIL will invest US$30 million (S$36.7 million) over the next few years for business expansion on top of developing its dealer network and distribution centres. Part of the plan calls for a full 3S (Showroom, Service, Spare parts) centre around Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Tan Chong is well known to be the distributor for Nissan automobiles but Tan Chong Motor Sales - the authorised dealer for Nissan - expects volume to shrink after a crunch in COE quotas. According the media, Nissan used to push as high as 17,000 units back in 2005 but the number is expected to drop to a mere 700 units in 2012 in Singapore. Prior to BMW and Toyota, Nissan was the most popular brand here.