Naza To Produce Four New Models Next Year

GURUN, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd will come out with four new car models next year to achieve its target of securing eight per cent share in the passenger market by 2012.

Group executive chairman and chief executive officer SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said the rebadged Kia and Peugeot models were in the medium-range segment.

This year, he said, the company expected to secure only four per cent market share or about 24,800 units.

"We believe and are confident that with an enhanced network, the 2012 target can be achieved," he told reporters after presenting offer letters to 25 employers in the automotive division to undergo a diploma in manufacturing management course.

The eight-month course is in collaboration with Society of Business Practitioners United Kingdom.

Nasarudin said Naza would launch the facelift model of Naza Suria and Naza Forza next month.

The Naza Group would also undergo a rebranding soon, he added.

"Naza want to make Malaysia as an assembly hub for Peugeot and Kia for the Asean market and produce specific models for Malaysia.

"We will try to convince our partners about our assembly plant in Gurun that has the capacity to produce 55,000 units annually so that they shift their assembly operations to Malaysia," he said.

This would lead to long term cooperation between Naza and the two car makers, and boost Peugeot and Kia sales in Malaysia, he said.

Naza was also in talks with Kia Motors from South Korea on hybrid vehicles.

"I am sure the company has green technology and we will discuss the plan to bring the green technology to Malaysia," Nasarudin said.

-- BERNAMA

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