Naza Automotive Manufacturing will produce new entry level Peugeot model
Paris, FRANCE October 7, 2009 – Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Automobiles Peugeot today, embarking on the “T33 Project” to manufacture a new, entry level Peugeot vehicle in Malaysia.
The T33 is seen as a first step towards an increased Peugeot presence in ASEAN, using Malaysia as an ASEAN base. Witnessing the signing ceremony in Paris, France was Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.
Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. was represented by Joint Group Executive Chairman, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin while Automobiles Peugeot was represented by its President, Jean-Marc Gales.
“Nasim Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Naza Group and the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, already has a strong relationship with Peugeot. We are now taking it to the next level. We are hopeful that Automobiles Peugeot will make Malaysia its ASEAN hub. Having identified Malaysia as the biggest market for Peugeot in the region, we look forward to strengthening the Peugeot brand in Malaysia and expanding its reach to the rest of the ASEAN region,” said SM Nasarudin.
The 2008 sales for Peugeot in Malaysia were 748 units, rising to 2758 units as of August 2009. The T33 is expected to contribute to further sales in the third quarter of 2010 and beyond.
Positioned as an entry level Peugeot, the T33 will join the 9 existing Peugeot variants currently available in Malaysia. It will be locally assembled at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd plant in Gurun, Kedah which currently employs 1,000 staff. The Gurun plant has the capacity to produce 55,000 units annually.
SM Nasarudin also said that there was a possibility of introducing other models. “Our relationship with Peugeot is a long term investment and we recognize the marketability of introducing passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, sports utility vehicles and commercial vehicles to the ASEAN region.”
Nasim Sdn Bhd, a member of the Naza Group of Companies, is the official franchise holder of Peugeot Automobiles in Malaysia. It currently operates three Peugeot 3S centres in West Malaysia, with a fourth planned to be opened in East Malaysia later this month. Today, Nasim Sdn Bhd operates eight branches and nine authorised dealers nationwide and 30 service outlets nationwide to cater to Peugeot owners. In addition, it runs a special toll free number to provide roadside assistance and towing services to Peugeot owners in Malaysia. Nasim Sdn Bhd officially launched the first Peugeot branded automobile, the CKD Peugeot 407 2.0, on July 9, 2008, and subsequently released the Peugeot 308GT and 207CC for sale. In January this year, Nasim launched its new C-Segment competitor, the Peugeot 308 in two variants; the Peugeot 308 VTi and the Peugeot 308 Turbo into the Malaysian automotive market.
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