Continental Cars Ltd chairman Maurice F. Mizzi has called on the authorities to look into the reasons why the new car market has plummeted from 12,000 in 1999 to just 7,000 this year.

Speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, a former chairman of the Mizzi Organisation, Mr Mizzi said the new Continental Cars showroom and service facilities cost Lm4 million.

He looked back to the post-war years when his late father Spiro and brother John obtained the Volkswagen distributorship 54 years ago. The first premises were bought from the late Richie Kind in Rue d'Argens and 30 years ago the company moved to Testaferrata Street.

"I expect that in 30 years time we will probably have to build new premises. I hope that both the Prime Minister and myself will still be around to open them."

Continental Cars' new premises consist of a 10- to 14-car showroom, offices, a workshop with a throughput of 150 cars a week (7,500 cars a year), and a 1,000 m2 warehouse.

Phase 2 will begin at the beginning of next year when the old VW and Audi showrooms will be demolished and excavated to build new Audi and Porsche showrooms.

A new workshop for VW will mean a doubling of the working bays, along with a customer car park. Phase 2 will have a total area of 6,000 m2 over four floors, bringing the total area to 11,000 m2 over four floors, incorporating three separate showrooms, two after sales centres, customer parking facilities and an administration block.

Prime Minister Gonzi unveiled a commemorative plaque and VW representatives presented Mr Mizzi with a commemorative gift. Mr Mizzi was thanked for his dedication and hard work in promoting the VW brand in Malta over the years.