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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) — Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd plans to introduce new models by mid-2008 with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and sub-compact cars among the first to be rolled out.
“This is our commitment to our customers — to continue introducing new and fresh models in the marketplace,” Naza chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin told reporters after the launch of the Naza Forza here today.
Also present was Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Nasimuddin said the new models would expand consumers’ choices and help to further improve performance of the local automotive industry next year.
“Next year will be better than this year as many issues such as second-hand car sales and financing have been resolved,” he said.
“With this new situation and coupled with our existing and newly launched models, the group expects to reap total sales of over 50,000 units next year.”
On the export market, Nasimuddin said the group was looking at exporting between 3,000 and 4,000 units of its Naza Sutera annually.
“Through our overseas network, we have started exporting to Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore and soon to Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand. Hopefully, our models will do well. We want to take advantage of the Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA),” he said.
Nor Mohamed, in his speech, said Malaysia was currently the largest vehicle market in Asean.
“The growing economic integration among Asean nations, the deepening of economic linkages between Asean and the major trading partners such as China, Japan, South Korea and India, and the elimination of tariffs under the AFTA open greater opportunities for Malaysian automotive firms to penetrate regional markets,” he said.
“Hence, we must to continually upgrade technological capability and widen existing product range via increasing variety of makes and models in order to face the stiff competition from other auto players.”
On the new Naza Forza, Nasimuddin said the group has targeted to sell about 11,000 units in the first year.
“This comes on the back of better outlook for the automotive market which has shown positive improvement recently,” he said.
“We also can see that customers are now shifting to smaller vehicles to save on fuel cost.”
The Naza Forza, which replaces the Naza Sutera, is a 1.1-litre car with 16-valve multi-point fuel injection engine. It is priced from RM37,999 to RM42,288.
– BERNAMA
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