Unfazed by rising oil prices and interest rates, Thai premium car specialist Eton Import aims to launch eight new luxury vehicles this year.

More new models would help Eton to achieve its sales target of 1,080 units, a 15% increase from 2010, said managing director Peerasut Tantiyankul.

In addition to the Nissan Juke and Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari launched recently, the company plans to import the Toyota FJ Cruiser, the new Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Toyota Alphard Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz CLS 250.

Eton has become the largest local importer since the collapse of SET-listed SEC Auto Sales and Service (SECC) amid a massive fraud and embezzlement scandal two years ago.

The company achieved stronger-than-expected vehicle sales last year of 934 units, a 35% increase from 2009, indicating that its buyers were undeterred by the political violence early last year. More than half of the sales last year were multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and the rest were sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans and sports cars.

Mr. Peerasut said Eton would open its largest and most modern service centre on Srinakarin Road in Bangkok later this year to service all models sold by the company and other competitors.

The 80-million-baht (US$ 2.6 million) centre will feature more high-tech touches including the use of iPads by service staff, and WiFi availability for customers. The centre will have a capacity of 1,500 cars a month with 23 working bays.