Editor's note: This story is part of the WardsAuto digital archive, which may include content that was first published in print, or in different web layouts.

VIENNA – Porsche Holding, Europe's largest car import and retail group, based in Austria and owned by Volkswagen Group, is taking control of import activities for the VW, Audi and Skoda brands in Chile.

The newly created import company, Porsche Chile, is located in the capital city of Santiago de Chile and replaces previous distributor Maco.

The market share of all Volkswagen Group brands in Chile reached only 2.8% in 2012.

Last year, 257,013 cars were sold industry-wide in the country, including 4,234 VWs, 2,259 Audis and 610 Skodas.

Volkswagen also delivered 2,489 light-commercial vehicles there last year, resulting in a 3% share of the 81,813-unit market.

The new importer says it is targeting a significantly improved performance.

Vedran Prasnikar, previously head of Porsche Holding’s import and retail joint venture P.Z. Auto in Croatia, has been appointed general manager of the new company in Chile.

Porsche Chile also is responsible for the import of VW and MAN large trucks and buses, which reached 7.6 % market share in the country last year.

Chile is the second Latin American market for Porsche Holding. It launched activities in Colombia in early 2012.