A news report indicates that the Naza Group is apparently planning to give up its Kia and Peugeot distributorships given the soft automotive market that has been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic. The report by the New Straits Times follows on months of speculation that such a move was on the cards, although no timeframe for a deal to be concluded was ever intimated.
Sources told the publication that Bermaz Auto, which currently handles the Mazda brand in the country, is the front runner to take over the South Korean and French brands, although it is facing competition from a slew of other interested parties, among them Sime Darby Motors and Berjaya Group, which previously held the local Mazda franchise under Berjaya Auto. In 2016, the entity became Bermaz Auto following a management buyout.
The report added that Bermaz is especially eyeing the Kia franchise, looking to take over the operations lock, stock and barrel, although any potential move would still need approval from the brand’s principal.
Adding to the hearsay, a source revealed that Naza has reportedly sold its Kia branches to its dealers, and a former top executive of a big local fund has been tasked with the project to dispose of the Kia franchise.
The source also noted that Bermaz Auto CEO Datuk Francis Lee had previously revealed that the company was planning to add a new car franchise into its portfolio, but did not name the brand. “Kia will (likely) come in to Bermaz first,” the source stated.
Besides Kia and Peugeot, which are handled by Naza Kia Malaysia and Nasim respectively, Naza Group handles Citroen and DS vehicles under Naza Euro Motors, and the company is also the local distributor for Maserati, Ferrari and Ducati. Earlier this year, the group was reportedly in negotiations with Suzuki to reintroduce the Japanese brand here, but news on developments have pretty much tapered off.
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Biasalar company yang pakai tongkat selama ini. Baguslar, bagi peluang kepada yang betul-betul tahu buat bisnes. KIA never had a proper foothold in Malaysia automotive market solely due to Naza.
Now they more busier on IG, becoz is the future.
And that tongkat has given all Malaysians the opportunity to drive Kia and Peugeot…well done Naza and thank you for your contribution to the auto industry..,
Kia and Peugeot are far ahead of China technology. Naza just do not know how to harvest the gold mine.
Oh the management of NAZA do know how to really harvest the gold mine. The gold mine is not in selling cars, but selling promises to the owner so that they will pump in more money, and then spending the money for own benefits. The money spent on opening multitude of new showrooms, lounges at airports etc does not see increased sales.
Ini bukti kukuh Dasar ekonomi baru. Gagal epic
Exactly like our old local sayings. Rich family wealth will not last for three generations. First generation makes the money, the Second spends it, the Third see nothing of the wealth.
China has caught up to Japan. Korean? Hahaha. Peugeot cars still lacks reliability.
Betuii alan. Safety n reliability, think toyota lol
Eh, this one is dupe. I did not write any comments for this post. PT can verify by the email address or IP.
REAL Not Toyota Fan here.
Korean cars are reliable. Here in Singapore hyundai and kia cars are everywhere one. SGD100K also many people buy.
Fully agreed. Why this privilege be given to them naza, this belong to all of us rakyats.
Looks reliable bcuz distance to travel on island is short and most ppl use MRT anyway, so car usage is really really low mileage compared to Msian daily usage. Normal usage like here, these cars are really unreliable.
Naza already gave up on their car business after selling off their Kulim plant to Peugeot. Ironically, PSA had been sitting on that plant up til now with no clear vision so I have serious doubts about their ambitions in this region. More irony, it was lucky Proton didn’t sign up with them going for Geely instead.
Naza kirr Kia n Pijot.
DRB Hicom kirr Suzuki n Chevrolet. See the irony n similarity
More like the brands ‘kirred’ themselves. Kia was doing well in past when priced slightly above Japanese brands one segment below. Remember Forte C-segmenter but priced slightly above B-segment Japs? It sold very well. Pug as well sold by the hundreds when 206 Bestari, 207, 407 were much cheaper than successors of today. Naza & DRB did their best but they are just the franchise holder at the mercy of bad decisions from principals.
yupe true that. bad decisions from principals orso badly affected bermaz & Mazda sales, tanchong & Nissan sales, umw & Toyota sales. Bad sales, bad principals.
Does anybody know or confirm definitely if Kia is still assembling CKD vehicles at the Peugeot (ex-Naza) plant in Malaysia?
No more CKD assembly in Malaysia as far as I know.
Last time, some kia is cbu but under declared as ckd.
That what kia salesman told me, even show me the korean vin number located below the driver seat.
They will erased this then stamp msia vin number at engine bay before send to puspakom.
This was 10 years ago
Still same now. Better buy kia is cbu, lekas2.
Hahaha NAZA doesn’t have any plant at Kulim. It is in Gurun.Btw, I agreed with u about Peugeot lack of vision in this region.
My apologies. Gurun it is. And yes, Peugeot silence after the purchase is deafening.
What Peugeot lack of vision? Forget about Peugeot , the way they do right hand drive conversion is a half-arsed effort. I see the giant fusebox on the passenger side which blocks 1/3 of the space in the glovebox. They never shift the fusebox to the correct side for rhd conversion. That is French car for you. So why should you buy them if the manufacturer dont even put effort to impress potential buyers
Good news, hope they bring in the K5
Tongkat alredi pon lingkup. Apo nak Di kato…kui3
Kia finally together with Hyundai and Peugeot reunion with Citroen.
honestly, this is a good news. Naza has been screwing up the brands since day 1.
honestly, this is sadding news. Used to own 2000 Kia sephia 1.5L since day 1, only rm57,800 buy brand new then..ohsem option for us buy imported car who limited to Wira 1.5 GLi (A) rm53,655 n Wira 1.6Exi rm63,980. that Kia sephia a tough robust lejen jz keep on going n going…
Bought kia spectra5 hatchback.
Urban driving only, no major issues, all service done at SC.
But waiting for spare parts was long, order outside much faster.
They are launching underpowered kia seltos soon. Funny la, never do markey research or what
It is confirmed Naza giving up Kia coz since 6 months ago they stop taking spare part from Kia Korea. Bermaz suppose to take up by Kia distributorship on Sep or Oct but suddenly hang on the deal. Bermaz may not take up Kia or Peugeot if not reach consensus. Insider news
Glad to hear this
Sell car kenot. Try bukak jual burger, nasi lemak..
Thank God for the good news. At least based on mazda performance under berjaya group it should be okay. Now berjaya group please bring in Seltos GT-Line australia spec cbu from korea and kia soul to Malaysia. I’m waiting for it.
Such a sad news.. For the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin family to let the Kia franchise go.
The son is not interested in distributorship of car anymore. BTW berjaya group is own by his father in law so not really a sad news. Just from left pocket change to right.
Those were the Good olde days..
https://paultan.org/2005/07/24/how-franchise-ap-holders-make-their-money/
Bijak Naza. Property more untung & less pening.
More like they were too busy preening over which Italian suit & shoes to pick for the day …
Naza oso let go all car APs (Approved Permit)…
So NAZA will go out of the automotive business with a bang.
Goodbye to the great legacy of Tan Sri Nasimuddin.
no wonder new kia cerato never arrive at our land. cannot compete with others c segment sedan.
Isn’t Vincent Tan’s (Bermas) Daughter married to one of the Naza’s brothers, hope not the reason to be frontrunner.
Why not? Berjaya group is bigger corporate than Naza and has more capital to deal with distributorship. Talking about distributorship no one in Malaysia has better knowledge than Berjaya aa they have taken up many sole distributorship since they established.
anything under Naza is not sustainable. even the indian motorcycle also letting go. now Kia and Peugeot. later a few years down the road, Mazda also they let go and just concentrate on their AP business. it’s not brand problem, it’s the incompetent management.
Naza dan Drb this poor mismanagement and incompetency, ekceli Gahmen gotta gip more plotek dan tongkat to them which obviously lack.
Thanks late tansri’s children..
A classic case of mismanagement and incompetency
Naza is focusing on property development. Good plan. Automotive industry is floundering especially at this time, property is the way to go.
Kudos to them for being able to see which business is actually the cash cow for them.
I just hope that Kia models are not priced like those Mazda models. So expensive.
Their property also need felda to lease two towers at naza platinum to bail them out. Felda do not need to lease these two towers as their old hq is just nearby and free. No need to pay rental.
I want the all new 2021 kia grand carnival!!
Hope they this 2 marque will do better after this.
KIA finally sees some lights.
no prob if no Pijot or Kia become extinct……..Can always buy P1 or P2. Barang baik, murah, and manyak bagus dipakai.
Far ahead?? Are u sure??
Keeping it in the family…. nice.. from son in law to father in law…
Good.
Naza is killing the brand here
Good that Kia is not popular. Allows those who drive Hyundai and Kia to appreciate how much better their cars are with better specs and features and reliability while they laugh at the pitiful folk who still overpay for barebones lacking safety Toyotas.
Yes! I hope it will bring in new Kia Sorento under RM150k
Yes! I hope it will bring in new Kia Sorento under RM150k or cheaper.
Berjaya is no longer part of Bermaz.
after looking at so many comment… i got only 1 question… when Bermaz can takeover? it is really holding me back to proceed with Kia’s car with current poor distributor they have in M’sia…