Naza

Naza, formally known as the Naza Group of Companies, is a privately held Malaysian conglomerate founded in 1975 by Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin. It began as a motor-trading business importing used and reconditioned Japanese cars, then developed into one of Malaysia's best-known automotive groups. Although the group has diversified substantially, motoring has remained its principal business area. The group's automotive activities have covered vehicle importing, retail, franchised distribution, assembly, manufacturing, financing, insurance-related services, technical training and logistics. Over time, Naza represented a broad portfolio of international marques in Malaysia, including Kia, Peugeot, Ferrari, Maserati, Chevrolet, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Brabus, Koenigsegg, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Gilera and Indian Motorcycle. Some appointments were held at different points in the group's history and should not be interpreted as evidence that every marque remains in the portfolio today. Naza also created and marketed locally branded vehicles. Examples included the Naza Ria, based on the Kia Carnival; the Naza Citra, based on the Kia Carens; the Naza Picanto, based on the Kia Picanto; the Naza 206 Bestari, based on the Peugeot 206; and the Naza Sutera, later associated with the Naza Forza and derived from the Hafei Lobo. These products reflected the group's strategy of combining foreign partnerships with local assembly and market-specific branding. Manufacturing became a major part of the business through Naza Automotive Manufacturing in Gurun, Kedah. The facility began operations in the early 2000s and assembled Kia vehicles before also producing Peugeot-related models. In 2018, Naza and Groupe PSA agreed to restructure ownership of the facility, with PSA acquiring a majority stake and the plant becoming part of PSA's ASEAN manufacturing strategy. This marked a significant transition from Naza's role as a manufacturing partner toward a more focused distribution and commercial role for PSA brands. Beyond motoring, Naza has operated through property, hospitality, food and beverage, transportation, education, plantations, cigarette distribution and other service businesses. Its property arm, Naza TTDI, has been associated with large-scale Kuala Lumpur developments, including Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Platinum Park and KL Metropolis. The group has also managed hotels, operated restaurant and frozen-yogurt franchises, provided limousine and transport services, and established automotive education and workforce-training initiatives. The group was led for many years by its founder, who died on 1 May 2008. Following his death, Naza continued under the wider corporate structure and family-linked leadership, while retaining its diversified portfolio. The Naza name has consequently functioned both as an automotive-facing commercial brand and as the umbrella identity for a Malaysian business group with activities extending well beyond automobiles.

Naza's origins lie in Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd, established in Malaysia in 1975 by Nasimuddin Mohamad. At the age of 21, the founder used savings connected with work in his father's construction business to import used Japanese vehicles. The initial stock reportedly sold rapidly, enabling the company to establish a Kuala Lumpur dealership specializing in used luxury vehicles. The business later extended into used luxury motorcycles and developed expertise in importing and retailing high-end vehicles. During the 1990s, Naza moved beyond used-vehicle trading and entered franchised automotive distribution. Its first major vehicle franchise came from Kia Motors. This relationship helped transform the group from a specialist importer into a broader automotive operator. The group also began developing hotel interests during the decade, including overseas hotel acquisitions associated with Naza Hotel Management. The 2000s were a period of rapid vertical expansion. In 2000, Naza obtained exclusive Malaysian distribution rights for Ducati motorcycles. In 2001, it entered vehicle assembly with the Kia Spectra and subsequently assembled other Kia models, including the Naza Ria version of the Kia Carnival. The group also obtained rights connected with Brabus-tuned vehicles. Construction of the Naza Automotive Manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah, began in 2002, and the plant commenced operations in 2003. A separate motorcycle manufacturing facility in Shah Alam also began operations in 2003. Naza used assembly and local branding to create products aimed at the Malaysian market. The Naza Ria, Naza Citra and Naza Picanto were based on Kia products, while the Naza 206 Bestari was derived from the Peugeot 206. The Naza Sutera, introduced in 2006, was based on the Hafei Lobo. These vehicles gave the group a stronger local-market identity while relying on overseas engineering and manufacturing relationships. The group simultaneously expanded its commercial footprint. It opened the Naza Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya in 2005, promoting it as a major facility for used and reconditioned luxury vehicles. Naza also established the Naza Kia Academy near its Gurun facility in 2006 for sales, after-sales and technical training. The academy later supported executive-level automotive and manufacturing education through external collaborations. Property became another important pillar. In 2004, a Naza-linked company acquired TTDI from Danaharta. The property business was subsequently renamed Naza TTDI and became associated with major residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Its projects included the established Taman Tun Dr Ismail township, Platinum Park and the large KL Metropolis development, which incorporated trade, exhibition, office, residential, hospitality and retail components. MITEC, developed within KL Metropolis, was delivered to the Malaysian government in 2017. Naza broadened its international automotive representation during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Peugeot was added in 2008, followed by Ferrari and Harley-Davidson in the same year, and Maserati in 2009. The group also entered food and beverage franchising, taking on Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and later Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt. Tutti Frutti rights covered Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian markets. Additional restaurant interests included Gyu-Kaku. In 2010, Peugeot and Naza announced plans to use the Gurun plant as a manufacturing hub for right-hand-drive ASEAN markets. Naza also obtained Chevrolet distribution rights in Malaysia and expanded its motorcycle portfolio through an agreement with Piaggio covering Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa and Gilera. Indian Motorcycle was added in 2011. In 2013, Naza Euro Motors became the official Malaysian distributor for Citroën, giving the group representation of both principal PSA passenger-car marques in the country at that time. A major structural change came in 2018, when Naza and Groupe PSA signed share-sale and joint-venture agreements concerning the Gurun facility. PSA acquired a majority interest, and the plant was positioned as an ASEAN manufacturing base for Peugeot-related operations. This reduced Naza's direct ownership of the manufacturing asset while preserving its importance in distribution and local automotive commerce. Nasimuddin, who had founded and led the group for decades, died on 1 May 2008. The group continued after his death through its corporate and family-linked structure. Its later identity has remained diversified: automotive distribution and services continue to anchor the brand, while property, hospitality, food and beverage, education, transportation and other activities contribute to the broader Naza portfolio. The group also established the Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin in 2011 to support scholarships, schooling assistance and charitable organizations.

• 2018

  PSA takes majority stake in Gurun facility

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza and Groupe PSA agreed on a majority investment and joint-venture structure for Naza Automotive Manufacturing.

• 2013

  Citroën distribution added

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza Euro Motors became Citroën's official distributor in Malaysia.

• 2010

  Peugeot ASEAN manufacturing hub announced

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza and Peugeot announced plans to use the Gurun facility as a hub for right-hand-drive ASEAN production.

• 2008

  Naza expands into Peugeot, Ferrari and Harley-Davidson

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  The group added major European passenger-car and premium motorcycle franchises to its Malaysian portfolio.

• 2006

  Naza launches locally branded models

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  The group introduced the Naza Sutera and Naza 206 Bestari, expanding its local-brand manufacturing strategy.

• 2005

  Naza Auto Mall opens

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  The group opened a large motor showroom in Petaling Jaya for used and reconditioned vehicles.

• 2003

  Gurun automotive plant begins operations

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza Automotive Manufacturing commenced operations in Gurun, Kedah, initially producing the Naza Ria.

• 2001

  Naza enters automotive assembly

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  The group began assembling Kia vehicles, starting with the Kia Spectra.

• 2000

  Entry into motorcycle distribution

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza became the exclusive Malaysian distributor for Ducati.

• 1975

  Naza begins as a motor-trading company

  [1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Naza Motor Trading was established in Malaysia to import and sell used and reconditioned vehicles.

A Malaysian diversified conglomerate with a historically automotive-led identity, combining international vehicle franchises, local assembly and trading with property and service-sector businesses.

• Automobile · 2001

  Naza Ria

  A Malaysian-market multipurpose vehicle based on the Kia Carnival. It was among Naza's most visible early locally assembled products and helped establish the group as more than an importer. The model was assembled at the Gurun facility and marketed under the Naza name.

• Automobile

  Naza Citra

  A Naza-branded version of the first-generation Kia Carens. It represented the group's approach of adapting established international models for Malaysian distribution and local assembly.

• Automobile · 2006

  Naza Picanto

  A Naza-badged version of the Kia Picanto, previously associated with the Naza Suria name. The compact model extended Naza's locally branded range into the small-car segment.

• Automobile · 2006

  Naza 206 Bestari

  A Naza-badged Peugeot 206 developed through the group's relationship with Automobiles Peugeot. It illustrated Naza's role in combining foreign platforms with Malaysian assembly and distribution.

• Automobile · 2006

  Naza Sutera / Naza Forza

  A small car based on the Hafei Lobo and marketed by Naza under local branding. The model was an early example of Naza developing a proprietary badge strategy rather than relying solely on imported marque identities.

• Automotive manufacturing · 2003

  Naza Automotive Manufacturing

  The Gurun, Kedah manufacturing facility was created to assemble Kia vehicles and later Peugeot-related products. It became central to Naza's manufacturing ambitions and was subsequently subject to a majority investment and joint-venture arrangement with Groupe PSA.

• Automotive education · 2006

  Naza Kia Academy

  An automotive training institution established near the Gurun manufacturing site. It provided sales, after-sales, technical and management training and was recognized by Kia as an overseas training center for the Asia-Pacific region.

• Property development · 2008

  Naza TTDI developments

  Naza TTDI has been associated with residential, commercial and mixed-use projects in Malaysia, including Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Platinum Park and KL Metropolis. The projects expanded the Naza identity into large-scale urban development and integrated property.

• 2009Tutti Frutti regional franchise expansion

  Malaysia · Singapore · Cambodia · Brunei · Thailand

  Naza became master license holder for Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt across several Southeast Asian markets and expanded the chain's outlet network.

  Outcome. The franchise became one of the group's most visible food-and-beverage ventures, although later operating status is not established by the supplied sources.

  Source
• 2005Naza Auto Mall launch

  Malaysia

  Naza promoted its Petaling Jaya Auto Mall as a major destination for used, reconditioned and luxury vehicles, using the facility to reinforce its position in high-end motor trading.

  Outcome. The showroom became a prominent physical expression of Naza's motor-trading business and received recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records.

  Source

• 2018

  Restructure of Naza Automotive Manufacturing ownershipM&A

  Background

  Naza and Groupe PSA sought to establish the Gurun facility as an ASEAN base for PSA's right-hand-drive vehicle activities.

  Action taken

  The parties signed share-sale and joint-venture agreements that gave Groupe PSA a majority stake in the manufacturing facility.

  Aftermath

  The transaction shifted the plant toward PSA control while Naza retained an important role in domestic distribution of Peugeot, Citroën and DS Automobiles.

  Source

• 2010

  Position Gurun as an ASEAN manufacturing hubStrategy

  Background

  Growing cooperation with Peugeot created an opportunity to use Naza's Malaysian manufacturing base for right-hand-drive regional markets.

  Action taken

  Naza and Peugeot announced a partnership to develop the Gurun plant as a manufacturing hub.

  Aftermath

  The plan strengthened Naza's profile as a local manufacturing partner for international automotive companies before the later PSA ownership restructuring.

  Source

• 2018

  Naza and Groupe PSA agree to restructure ownership of Gurun manufacturing facility[1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Naza and Groupe PSA signed agreements under which PSA acquired a majority stake in the Naza Automotive Manufacturing facility in Kedah. The arrangement was intended to support Peugeot, Citroën and DS production and distribution in Malaysia and wider ASEAN right-hand-drive markets.

• 2008

  Naza expands its Malaysian automotive franchise portfolio[1]Nazaen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The group added Peugeot, Ferrari and Harley-Davidson representation in Malaysia during 2008, broadening its presence across passenger vehicles, luxury cars and premium motorcycles.

1. 1Nazaen.wikipedia.org