1. In 1986, Gerry Khouri built his first car in the backyard of his home in Sydney, Australia
It was so popular that he started renting it out for people to drive during the weekends, engagement parties, honeymoons and graduation ceremonies.
2. Gerry opened up a small workshop to build his two brothers each a car
However, each time he finished one, somebody would buy it. It was after 16 years that his brothers got their own Buforis.
3. Back in the early 1990s, Bufori was still based in Australia
The bulk of Gerry’s customers came from parts of Southeast Asia, Korea and Hong Kong.
4. When the Australian government changed its policy on the exporting of vehicles, Gerry had no incentive to stay
It was then that Yang di-Pertuan Agong HRH Tuanku Ja’afar and current Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad both expressed support for the brand.
5. Since then, Bufori has been in Malaysia for 25 years
However, Gerry has confessed that today, Malaysia has proved to be a challenge. “Of the small volume of cars Bufori produces each year, it doesn’t get any recognition and support from the Malaysian Automotive Industry.”
6. Yet, the cars are still manufactured in Malaysia because Gerry believes in the people
“We produce a niche, high-quality product in this environment, so we’re only as good as the people. You see their mood in the consistency of seat stitches and welds.”
7. All in all, Bufori is as much a work of art as it is a luxury automobile
“We could go out there and design generic cars, but we chose this nostalgic styling because our clients are nostalgic – people who have achieved the best in life, usually middle-aged or older.”
8. Today, the company exports to over 40 countries worldwide including China, Hong Kong, the United States and Middle Eastern countries
Each model is tested in Germany and homologated to European standards.
9. Only 700 cars have been made in Bufori’s lifespan and all are done without robots
The human touch is present in all production stages. Designers, technicians and engineers draw, cut, stitch, paint, weld, mould and assemble every part, which is no small feat.
10. The company also takes on restoration projects, that acts as on-the-job training for workers
Through taking apart and restoring different models, they gain insight into what’s out there, and how they can improve.
11. Almost 90% of everything inside the door is produced in-house
Bespoke is putting it lightly – Gerry and the team thrive on new challenges. “We’ve done some crazy modifications because we struggle to say no. Think coffee maker, Chinese tea sets, clothes steamers, hookahs, shoe boxes, mobile offices, and retractable make-up compartments. At the push of a button, you can even change the light reflection on windows and dashboard to modify brightness in the car.”
12. Dealers would sell a Bufori for more than double the price they paid for the brand new car because they don’t want to wait
Like a Rolex, you do not own it for its mechanic purposes. It is something you take pride in.
Read also: SS Chiang Started Bonia Before He Turned 20, Making 50 Bags Per Day
Discussion about this post