Its joint Group executive chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin said the people are complaining that the duty structure was too high, adding that a reduction in duties would help create an interest among the people to buy cars, the report by Bernama stated.

“A lot of people have liquid cash but they need the right reason to spend. If we can lower the duty structure, it will help increase the saving power. There’s no point people having so much cash and they don’t want to spend. the economy will not grow,” he told Bernama at the launch yesterday of the Naza Racing Team, which will be competing in the Ferrari 458 Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Round 4 in Sepang this weekend.

In related news, Naza is hoping to bring the series to Malaysia as part of the calendar on the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific racing series, which is managed and coordinated by Ferrari, and that the race this weekend was an initiative carried out by the company to steer things this way.

“If they are happy with the exposure and the hospitality we show them, I’m not surprised that next year, we’re going to have five or six Malaysian cars on the Sepang circuit,” SM Faisal said.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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The manufacturing arm of the Naza Group, Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM), has recorded the production of its 150,000th vehicle at its facility in Gurun, Kedah. The milestone was reached yesterday. To mark the historic occasion, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir commemorated the 150,000th vehicle, a Naza Forte 1.6SX, produced at the facility.

NAM began operations in May 2004 with a RM500 million facility on an 140-acre parcel of land, and rolled out its first vehicle, a Naza Ria, in August that year.

The facility has produced 18 models at the plant since commencing operations, these being the Ria, Citra, Sorento, Spectra, Suria, Bestari, Forza, Sportage, Spectra 5, Optima, Rondo, Pregio, Picanto and Forte, as well as the Peugeot 407, 308, 207 and the 3008.

Currenly, the following models – Forte, Pregio, Citra, Rondo and the Peugeot 407, 308, 207 and 3008 are assembled at NAM. For 2011, NAM is on track to deliver 15,540 units, with the target for 2012 being 30,050 units. On the export front, NAM has been exporting units of the Peugeot 207 to Thailand and Indonesia, while the Kia Pregio van is being exported to Indonesia.

The facility is currently undergoing a RM714 million upgrading and expansion exercise over a six-year period, which began last year. Under this exercise, NAM will invest in the upgrading of facilities, plant expansion, new model introductions and research and development.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Naza and General Electric have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential collaboration in Malaysia in three areas – opportunities in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, the implementation of sustainable property development and opportunities in the healthcare services field.

The MOU was inked by Zakaria Ismail, group corporate affairs director of the Naza Group and Stuart Dean, CEO of GE Asean, at a signing ceremony on Friday evening. Also present at the ceremony was John G. Rice, vice chairman of GE, president/CEO of GE Global Growth and Operations, as well as Hamid Ismail, special project director, Naza Group.

Nothing concrete has been yet determined in the automotive-related sector, but the venture is hoping to explore the creation of a platform that combines both parties’ expertise to support EV development in the country, across the spectrum from infrastructure to technology applications.

The collaboration will entail joint-lobbying and education to raise public and government awareness, while engaging in further opportunities such as utilising GE battery technologies in Naza’s electric vehicle manufacturing line, and running electric vehicle pilot tests in several cities across Malaysia. Undoubtedly, we’ll be hearing more about developments as things progress, though when it will all start to come about remains to be seen.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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The Naza Group and HELP International Corporation Bhd (HELP) will jointly set up a college of automotive and transportation management. Both parties recently signed an MoU to work towards establishing a joint venture company that will undertake and run a college that will offer a full range of courses in automotive education.

The 50:50 JV intends to set up three campuses for the new automotive college – Klang Valley, Gurun, Kedah and Seri Alam, Iskandar Malaysia, Johor, starting with the former two campuses in the fourth quarter of the year. Certificate and diploma courses will be offered, followed by degree and masters programs. The target is to roll out the first batch of graduates by 2012.

“We plan to introduce innovative programmes in this new automotive college. The college will have a comprehensive program in technical and technology training, including automotive engineering, transportation and logistics management, operations and quality control, and car design. Other complementary competencies include customer service and HR management, marketing and export management, financial management and entrepreneurship. At a later phase we would include urban and transportation planning for cities,” said Datuk Dr Paul Chan, Co-Founder and President of HELP.

“The upside of this joint venture is that Naza already has the existing training facilities and experience, this means that the new college will be able to begin operations this year. We also plan to partner with good institutions, and countries that are well known in the automotive industry such as France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Students from our automotive college will also be able to work and intern at Naza. All standards will be benchmarked against best practices in this industry. Green technology will be a priority area,” he added.

“As a leading player in the automotive business, we have a clear understanding of the needs and requirements of the industry while HELP has an extensive and commendable record in the field of higher learning. With our respective capabilities combined, we will be in the best position to develop the future talent for the industry,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group.

Naza is no complete stranger to automotive education. It has the Naza Kia Academy (NKA) in Gurun that was established in 2006. Initially set up as Kia’s overseas training centre and a training centre for Naza Group staff, NKA later expanded its curriculum to include diploma courses. NKA’s facilities include 24 service bays, service training operations, management training and 45 twin-sharing hostel rooms. With this new venture, NKA’s facilities and courses will be absorbed by the JV company.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official Peugeot distributor in Malaysia, will be increasing exports of its 207 to Thailand. Nasim began exporting the 207 to Thailand in November last year with an initial batch of 44 units, and this latest order is understood to be much bigger than the previous shipment. The next destination for the B-segment sedan is Indonesia in March.

SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim announced this during the visit of Marc Barety, France’s Ambassador to Malaysia, to the Naza Automotive Manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah. Barety was accompanied by members of the French Embassy and the Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Besides Thailand and Indonesia, we will soon begin exporting the 207 to other markets in the region such as Brunei and Sri Lanka as well as right-hand drive markets in Africa. This in turn will further establish Malaysia as Peugeot’s hub for the region,” said SM Nasarudin. He also revealed that Nasim sold a total of 306 units of the 207 sedan locally in January.

Naza’s Gurun plant is preparing to roll out a C-segment sedan codenamed T73. The plan is to make 60,000 units of the T73 over a five-year period from 2012 to 2016, with some 60% set aside for export to right hand drive markets.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Tucked in a corner in the dim “Naza hall” at KLIMS was this red Forte Koup. We know that Naza Kia is working hard to bring in this coupe version of the Forte, and those who love the looks and can live with a Forte with two less doors can look forward to it coming to Malaysia next year.

The car on show is a right hand drive unit most probably borrowed from Singapore, since it wears “Cerato” badging. While Cycle & Carriage Kia sells the a 1.6 Koup and even a manual in Singapore, we should be getting the range topping 2.0 Auto if it comes here. The 2.0L Theta II with 156 PS/194 Nm is the same engine found in the 2.0 SX sedan, paired to a 6-speed auto, which should find its way to the sedan soon.

The Koup wears a more aggressive face compared to the sedan and has a neat rear end, which has twin tailpipes and the now compulsory “diffuser” bumper. Inside, the Koup gets a big red piece of plastic on the dash for a racier feel. We also noticed that the gear lever is unique. This high spec model has a sunroof, cushy leather seats, metal pedals and illuminated speaker rings.

The Forte 2.0 SX sells for RM93,800. How much of a premium will you pay for the coupe styling? Gallery after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Visitors to the Naza Group’s display at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show, which begins on Dec 3, will be able to catch some RM20 million worth of supercars and superbikes on show.

The displays will be made up of products from the Group’s luxury car brands – Ferrari, Maserati and Brabus – as well as from Chevrolet, Peugeot and Kia. On the motorcycle front, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa, Gilera and Naza Bikes stuff will be on show.

Naza is slated to unveil several products at the show, including the Maserati Gran Cabrio, Vespa LX150, Harley-Davidson Softail and its star display, the Ducati Diavel, which is being flown in especially for the show’s opening on Dec 2.

Among the other highlights are the Camaro SS Bumblebee, made popular in the hit movie Transformers 1 & 2 and the Cruze of the World Touring Car Championship (also seen in the latest Hawaii Five-O series) at the Chevrolet booth.

The Group is giving away some neat prizes at the show – 10 NAZA Blitz scooters, with one scooter to be given out each day during the 10 days of the show. Visitors who purchase their KLIMS’10 tickets online stand a chance to win a 3-days/2-nights self-drive getaway, with a choice of either a Chevrolet Captiva or Harley Davidson Sportster 48 to get you there and back, courtesy of the Group

Elsewhere, activities such as a mini-treasure hunt and a charity photo shoot have been planned. And if you purchase a car or motorcycle from Naza World during the show, you stand to win the Grand Prize of a Mercedes-Benz SLK200 Roadster and a Honda ST 1300 valued at RM230,000 and RM102,000 respectively.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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We’re reporting live from Putrajaya, where ex-PM Tun Dr Mahathir has just unwrapped the Peugeot 207 moments ago. Officially, they’re calling the car just 207 without the ‘Sedan’ in the name, although this isn’t the same car as the B-segment 207 supermini sold in Europe, but a booted version of the 206 with the marque’s family feline face. Assembled at Naza’s Gurun plant, the 207 is estimated to be priced at RM72,888 OTR including insurance.

Powered by a DOHC 16-valve 1.6-litre engine with 110 bhp and 147 Nm of torque produced from 4,000 rpm, the 207 uses a 4-speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic. This isn’t the 1.6-litre Prince engine in found in the 308, but the figures are a big upgrade from the 206 Bestari’s 75 bhp/120 Nm. An approximate top speed of 180 km/h is possible, according to the official brochure. Claimed fuel consumption is 6.1 litres per 100 km.

Size wise, the 207 measures 4,235 mm long, 1,699 mm wide and 1,447 mm tall. To give you an idea on where these figures stand, a Toyota Vios is 65 mm longer than the Peugeot, equally as wide at 1.7 metres but sits 13 mm lower. The 207′s 2,443 mm wheelbase is unchanged from the 206 hatchback and is shorter than the Vios’. That big boot holds up to 420 litres of cargo and the rear seats split fold 60:40.

The suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear, while the brakes are ventilated discs in front coupled with rear drums. ABS, EBD and Emergency Brake Assist are standard along with dual front airbags (passenger’s airbag can be deactivated). Those with young children will be happy to find two ISOFIX points in the rear seats. The wheels are 15-inch items wrapped with 185/60 Kumho tyres.

Equipment wise, this entry level Peugeot comes with things like automatic air con, auto headlights and wipers, MP3 stereo with Bluetooth, USB and AUX input, trip computer, leather steering and an “instrument panel made by luxury watchmaker Jaeger”. That’s quite a lot of kit for the price.

True to Peugeot’s promise of making Malaysia its regional right-hand drive manufacturing hub, the 207 will be exported to Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei and Sri Lanka. Domestically, Nasim aims to sell 5,000 to 6,000 units of the 207 next year.

We’ve driven the 207 already! Read the review and view the gallery here. Live gallery after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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According to a report by Bernama, Nasim COO Mr Samson Anand George revealed to a group of media visiting Naza’s Gurun assembly plant up north that the Peugeot 207 Sedan that we’ve spied prowling the streets of the Klang Valley while sporting minimal disguise will be launched November this year.

“I can assure you that the pricing will be very competitive. We aim to sell 5k to 6k units of the Peugeot 207 Sedan a year, with 30% of total sales being exports to neighboring countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei,” said Mr Samson Anand George.

The 207 Sedan will be the little brother of the 408 Sedan, due in 2012

Nasim is currently working on three additional 3S centers at a total cost of RM15 million. The 207 Sedan will be the latest model to join the current stable of CKD and CBU models such as the 407, the 308 and the 3008.

From what we understand there are also plans to bring in the Peugeot 5008 7-seater MPV sometime next year, in addition to two other ‘lifestyle-oriented’ cars, which I am taking a wild guess to be the drop top Peugeot 308CC and the sexy Peugeot RCZ. They are also on track to launching a locally assembled ‘Peugeot T73′ C-segment sedan in 2012, which should very likely be the Peugeot 408.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Syed Hafiz was formerly attached with Perodua as the company’s managing director. He left his 5-year career at Perodua late last year and gave way to Tuan Haji Aminar Rashid Salleh, former head of UMW Toyota’s Strategic Marketing Group. Syed Hafiz has spent a total of 10 years in various capacities at the UMW group.

SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, joint group executive chairman of the Naza Group of Companies said, “Datuk Syed Hafiz brings with him a vast wealth of experience and hands-on knowledge that will bring the Kia brand to the next level in Malaysia.”

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Two units of Naza’s T33 Project have been spotted on the road by our own Danny Tan in Rawang! These two red cars are the latest locally assembled Peugeot cars soon to be offered in Malaysia, perhaps by the end of the year?

These shots are actually quite revealing. There are some minor tape on the car but the headlamps and tail lamps are quite clearly visible. Of course we can’t say for 100% sure if any of what we see here will make it to the final product or not.

The T33 Project is basically the Peugeot 207 Sedan, which will be built in Gurun for the local market as well as the ASEAN region. There has already been news in the Indonesian media that they will also be getting the 207 Sedan, imported from Malaysia in early 2011, so export plans are firmly in place. 18,000 of 207 Sedans are planned to be rolled out of Naza’s Gurun plant annually.

It will be offered with a 1.6 litre engine, which is a welcome upgrade from the 1.4 litre found in the Naza 206.

Look after the jump for the rest of the snapshots.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Automobiles Peugeot and the Naza Group have today signed a letter of intention (LOI) to assemble a “three-box vehicle situated within the upper levels of the C segment”. This is most likely the Peugeot 408 sedan that was launched in China earlier this year.

The car, codenamed T73 sedan, is based on the 308 hatchback and the “408″ name is not confirmed for our market. SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, president of Naza and Jean-Philippe Imparato, Director of International Operations for Automobiles Peugeot signed the agreement at the opening of the new Peugeot Blue Box in Ipoh.

This development is in line with Peugeot’s plan to make Malaysia its ASEAN hub, with potential exports to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia as well as right-hand drive markets in the Pacific and Africa. Peugeot wants to take advantage of AFTA rules to break into our region, which is a key part of the brand’s international expansion plans. Sales outside of Europe accounted for 42% of Peugeot’s total sales in the first semester of 2010.

Both parties are looking at a series total of 70,000 vehicles. Assembly will begin in the second quarter of 2011 at Naza’s plant in Gurun, which will also assemble the 207 sedan due for launch in the final quarter of this year.

Click here for a gallery and information on the Peugeot 408. Live images and a video of the launch in Beijing can be viewed here.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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It’s been a long time coming, and the Chevrolet Cruze is finally here in Malaysia. Unveiled hours ago at the KL Convention Centre by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the C-segment global car by General Motors is a fresh start for the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia, which is now handled by sole importer and distributor Pavilion Crest Sdn Bhd, a Naza Group company.

The PM also read out the much anticipated price of the Cruze – RM97,888 for the 1.8-litre sole variant imported CBU from Korea. The on the road price excluding insurance is RM98,767.60. Where does that price stand in the segment? At below RM100K, the Cruze easily undercuts Japanese rivals such as the Altis, Sylphy, Lancer and Civic, but is slightly costlier than the Kia Forte 2.0, which retails at RM93,800 OTR plus insurance. The Forte is also marketed by Naza.

The Cruze is powered by a 1.8-litre Ecotec engine with 140 bhp and 176 Nm of torque at 3,800 rpm. The twin-cam 16-valve unit with DCVCP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing) and VIS (Variable Intake System) is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox with Shiftronic. The benchmark 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 11.5 seconds while top speed is 190 km/h. The Chevy is the first in class to have six forward ratios.

Unlike the old Chevrolet Optra, which started life as a Daewoo before assuming other badges, the Cruze was designed as a “world car” that is meant to appeal to all markets, from Europe to China and India. Testing and development were spread across continents, with Korea being just one of the few global production hubs for the Cruze.

Underpinnings and construction methods are the best that GM has at present – the Cruze sits on the Delta II platform that also underpins the current Opel/Vauxhall Astra, while its body structure is said to be very stiff; torsional rigidity is up by 140% over the Optra, with 65% of the structure made of high-strength steel.

The suspension comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear “compound crank axle” unit, which is GM’s way of saying torsion beam. Disc brakes are at all corners, with the fronts being ventilated. The steering is a rack and pinion unit with hydraulic power assist. The Cruze rides on 16-inch wheels with 205/50 Hankook Optimo rubber.

Safety kit includes ABS with EBD, dual airbags and Traction Control. The equipment list also lists a six-disc in-dash changer (factory stereo reads MP3 and has AUX jack, steering buttons), climate control and telescopic steering wheel.

Size wise, the Cruze is 57 mm longer, 42 mm taller and slightly wider than a Honda Civic, while its 2,685 mm wheelbase is only 15 mm short of the Honda’s class leading 2,700 mm. Luggage capacity stands at 450 litres and there’s a full sized spare under the boot floor.

At the event, Martin Apfel, President of GM South East Asia, was full of praise for its new partner Naza, which aims to have over 20 Chevrolet dealers by the end of 2010. A three to four year network expansion plan will see 40 outlets across Malaysia, all 3S centres.

Apfel seems to know that Chevy’s brand image needs some repair though. Recognising that the car is a major purchase in life over here, he said that “it’s not about a sale, it’s about a relationship, and we have to earn back confidence from customers.” Naza boss Dato’ SM Faisal also talked about “repairing” relationships.

I drove the Cruze in Shanghai last year, although it wasn’t a comprehensive test drive in proper conditions. Click here for the brief first impressions.

More images from the launch after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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If you’re looking to buy a Kia Rondo (called the Naza Citra II Rondo here in Malaysia) sometime soon you’ll be pleased to know that both the Rondo EX and EXS will have their equipment level boosted temporarily – limited to just 300 units.

The price points of RM86,088 and RM90,088 for the Rondo EX and EXS respectively will maintain the same but these 300 units will receive the additional following: new front skirting, side skirting, rear skirting, rear spoiler, door protector visor, wheel arch moulding, rear bumper pad and chrome tail pipe.

As for interior enhancements, the 300 units will get a 9.5 inch overhead LCD screen equipped with a DVD player as well as leather trim covered seats, and new solar tinting. In addition, there’s also an emergency kit bag, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and a tire inflator for free.

Naza Kia has sold 264 units of the Optima platform and engine based Rondo MPV in the first four months of this year so far so I am guessing that the 300 units will be gone in the next three months or so, or perhaps faster if many people are enticed by the offer.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, has revised upwards its 2010 sales forecast by nearly 30% to 3,800 units from 2,930 units in line with increasing demand and improving market conditions. To compare, the company sold 3,766 units in 2009, but a big chunk of that was contributed by the now discontinued 206 Bestari.

For the first quarter of 2010, Nasim’s sales (excluding 206 Bestari) has nearly tripled to 715 units from 262 units recorded in the same period last year. The strong showing has been largely driven by the 308 Turbo. The bulk of 2010 sales expected to be registered in the second half of the year, when Nasim launches three new models and two facelifted variants.

For now, the new arrival is the 3008 crossover, which will be launched in early June. Not much of a surprise since it already has been spotted cruising in Putrajaya. Nasim has begun taking pre-launch bookings for the SUV.

“We will have the distinction of being the first country in ASEAN to launch the 3008 and we are very excited over its prospects. We believe it will be just as successful here as it has been in European markets,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim.

The other new vehicles to be launched this year include the 5008 MPV and a B-segment sedan codenamed T33, which will be assembled in Gurun, Kedah for both the domestic and regional markets. This is essentially a sedan version of the 206 with an updated outlook (to match the rest of the range) and perhaps a new cabin. Nasim is also working hard to bring in Peugeot’s latest pride – the RCZ 2+2 coupe.

One of the abovementioned facelift models is the 308 VTi, which will be introduced very soon as pre-order books are already open. New features include new alloy wheels, automatic foldable door-mirrors, roof spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel, multi-function display, a new front grille as well as auto air-conditioning.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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The Naza Group is the official distributor of marques from Chevy to Ferrari in the car market, and its bike division is now catching up fast, thanks to new additions Piaggio, Aprilia, Gilera and Vespa. The conglomerate has signed a Distributorship Agreement with the Piaggio Group to become the exclusive distributor for the latter’s four brands. Naza already has Ducati and Harley-Davidson in its bike stable.

The signing was done by Naza’s Joint Group Executive Chairman Dato’ Hj SM Faisal and Piaggio Asia Pacific Managing Director, Mark Franklin, and was witnessed by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and Commercial Affairs Attache of the Italian Embassy, Fabrizio Vergamini.

Naza will invest some RM6 million into this venture, which would include a retail showroom and after-sales facilities. The products will also will be distributed under the Naza World of Bikes umbrella. The company also has the option to import and distribute the other three brands in the Piaggio Group – Moto Guzzi, Scrabero and Derbi.

Dato’ Hj SM Faisal said that the market for big bikes bucked 2009′s downward trend and significant growth is expected. “The total industry volume in 2009 dropped around 17% as compared to 2008. However the lifestyle segment increased approximately by 40%, from 1,800 units to 2,500 units in 2009. The segment is expected to further increase in 2010 to 3,000 units,” he pointed out.

The Naza boss also revealed that both parties would explore the possibilities of locally assembling at least one of the brands for the ASEAN region.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Many of us football fans can’t wait for the World Cup to begin, but how about being there yourself in South Africa when the greatest show on earth kicks off this June? Here’s a way, and it’s not a contest that requires slogan writing skills but skills on the ball. The Hyundai-Kia Group is an official partner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and Naza Kia, local distributor of Kia vehicles has launched the Kia Futsal With Soul tournament as part of its ground activities for the World Cup.

Kia Futsal With Soul kicks off on May 22 in Penang and Shah Alam, followed by Subang and Melaka on May 29 and 30. The finals will be on 12-13 June at the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Open to the public, the winning team of this tournament will bag RM10,000 cash and the chance to represent Malaysia in Kia’s global five-a-side competition, to be held during the World Cup in South Africa. Other participating nations include Korea, China, France, UK, Holland, Italy, Germany, Syria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and host country South Africa.

How to join? Online registration opens on May 10 at www.kiafutsalwithsoul.com. Further information is available on the site as well.

In conjunction with the tournament, Naza Kia, New Straits Times and Berita Harian jointly launched the 2010 FIFA World Cup Guide Book this morning. The RM19.90 guide book contains information of all 32 participating teams, fixtures, a wall chart, player profiles and historical facts. Purchasers are eligible to join a contest where the main prize is a trip to watch the World Cup finals live in South Africa.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Not sure about you, but this came as a surprise to me. While we know that the Naza Group does more than just sell cars (they’re involved in property, hotels and F&B for instance) I would never have imagined a tank!

According to the company’s latest press release, Naza Bumar, a subsidiary of Naza Defence, unveiled this Rosomak 8X8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) at the ongoing Defence Services Asia 2010 exhibition at Putra World Trade Centre.

The Rosomak (Wolverine in Polish) is made by Bumar of Poland and is currently used by the former Eastern Bloc nation for its Land Forces in Afghanistan, Chad and Iraq, besides armies from Croatia, Finland, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa and the UAE.

The main feature of the Rosomak is its modular design, which allows the incorporation of different turrets, weapons, sensors and communications systems on the same platform. The 8×8 AMV weighs between 18 and 26 tonnes depending on armour, weapons and ammunition on board. The Rosomak is said to have very good mine protection and can withstand TNT explosions of up to 10 kgs, besides ballistic protection against 30 mm armour piercing APFSDS rounds.

Don’t expect hot hatch handling, although the Rosomak is said to have “agile mobility, combining speed, agility, and crew comfort in all kinds of terrain and adverse climatic conditions” from its hydraulic all-independent suspension. How much does it cost? Call the Ministry of Defence’s hotline number!

UPDATE: The Rosomak is powered by a Scania 12-litre diesel engine with 480 bhp and 1970 Nm of torque. It is paired to a 7-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which sends drive to all eight wheels. It can even survive in water thanks to two shrouded propellers at the rear of the hull. Max swimming speed is 10 km/h.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Naza Kia Services Sdn Bhd (NKSSB) will be having a KiaXpress Lube Service Campaign which offers up to 50% in discounts for servicing charges at all 17 NKSSB outlets and participating dealers. NKSSB will also complete all servicing work within 30 minutes and provide customers with a free 18-point check throughout the campaign period, which is from now till June 30, 2010.

Discounts apply to charges for engine oil, oil filter, drain plug washer and labour. Petronas lubricants will be used, from the Mach 5 mineral oil to semi-synthetic Syntium-800 and fully synthetic Syntium-3000. The diesel-powered Sorento and Pregio will be offered Petronas’ Urania Supremo CJ-4 oil.

Picanto owners using mineral oil will be charged RM85.70, which translates to a 50% discount from pre-campaign prices. Similarly, Forte owners pay RM203.70 for a service using fully synthetic oil, which is actually quite reasonable. Other models eligible for discounts are the Suria, Rio, Spectra, Citra, Sportage, Carens, Rondo, Optima, Ria, Sorento and Pregio. Of course, servicing costs vary depending on a vehicle’s mileage.

*Both diesel-powered Sorento and Pregio will be offered Urania Supremo CJ-4  

For further information, contact Naza Kia Careline at 1300-888-542.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Naza’s new Chevrolet distributorship has been made official earlier this week, after it signed a Distributor Sales and Service Agreement with General Motors for the Chevrolet brand here in Malaysia. Naza is now the sole and exclusive authorized distributor, while Cergazam which was previously the temporary ‘custodian’ of the brand will continue on as a dealer.

The dealership network for Chevrolet currently stands at 8 in Malaysia, and Naza plans to increase this to 18 by the end of this year, including 5 Naza-owned dealerships. All outlets will be 3S outlets, which means when you buy your car from the dealership, they will also be able to support your servicing. Certain brands have a mix of 3S dealerships and pure ‘sales’ dealerships where you would have to go somewhere else for your servicing needs.

The existing Chevrolet line-up will remain for now, but the first new car to be launched soon will be the Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 with the 6-speed transmission. Naza and GM are also discussing the possibility of CKD operations at Naza’s Gurun plant in Kedah. Naza will also honor the existing warranties of Chevrolet cars sold in Malaysia through the previous incarnation of Chevrolet, a JV between GM and DRB-HICOM.

In other Naza related news, Naza Automall (along the Federal Highway) will be extending its hours from its previous 9am to 7pm hours to new opening hours of 9am to 10pm, an extension of 3 hours past the usual operating hours. So if you’re stuck in the Federal Parking Lot Highway late in the evening you can detour and check out some cars.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Peugeot has big plans to increase its presence in Asia, and Malaysia – via its partner Naza – plays a major role in this programme. At a press conference this afternoon, Peugeot deputy managing director Nicolas Wertans unveiled the company’s new identity for the first time outside of France (simultaneous with the launch of the 408 in China) and laid out what’s in store for us in the near future.

Peugeot plans to make Naza’s Gurun plant its right-hand drive manufacturing hub that will not only serve the ASEAN region, but possibly Australia, New Zealand and even South Africa. Exports will start this year, where the T33 compact sedan will be shipped to Thailand and Indonesia.

Peugeot has started the expansion of its ASEAN regional office in Petaling Jaya and Mr. Wertans said that a new team is being sent from France to study the market. This team will be based here to better understand the taste and expectations of Malaysian carbuyers.

Five new models will be launched in 2010, the 3008, 5008, 308 CC, RCZ and T33 sedan. The 3008 is a crossover while the 5008 is Peugeot’s version of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Moving on, the 308 CC is a metal folding roof coupe-convertible while the RCZ is a compact sports coupe that follows the Audi TT’s template, shown in the metal at last year’s Frankfurt show.

These cars are all fresh offerings, even in Europe, and the RCZ isn’t even on sale yet in the UK, so this blitz reflects our market’s newfound importance. No chance of these cars coming in with Peugeot’s excellent HDi diesels however; we’ll have to make do with petrol engines from the Prince family.

The T33′s impending launch has been covered on this blog before. It’s essentially a 206 Sedan with an updated nose, but Wertans won’t confirm the 207 Sedan name. To be launched by the end of the third quarter this year, it will come with a Peugeot badge (not Naza) and a 1.6-litre engine paired to a “Porsche” Tiptronic gearbox, likely to be the same drivetrain as the 308 VTi. With a sales target of 500 units per month, the T33 is set to be Naza’s bulk seller, taking over from the phased out 206 Bestari.

Meanwhile, the 408 that was launched hours ago in China, codenamed T73, could come in the near future. Wertans said that Peugeot “is seriously thinking about it, but it’s too early to tell”. The booted 308 is not a replacement for the 407, and isn’t likely to carry the “408″ name in every market it’s sold in – besides China, it will go to Brazil, Russia, India and other developing markets.

These plans will further boost Peugeot’s Asia sales, which grew by 45% in 2009. The French company hopes to expand in emerging markets, as its core market becomes highly saturated (currently 60% of total sales are from Western Europe, where it holds a 7.2% market share).

The new lion logo, “Motion & Emotion” tagline, and design language previewed by the gorgeous SR1 concept forms part of a “major repositioning for the next decade” said Wertans. The SR1 features styling cues that will be on Peugeot’s next generation of cars (no more “big mouth” grille) while the part car, part scooter BB1 concept is confirmed for production. “It’s not if, but when it’s coming to Malaysia,” said Wertans of the four-seat BB1, although he must have looked very, very far ahead when saying that.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Since Nasim took over, a nice European marque has been made an affordable choice for many Malaysians, undercutting its competitors both in terms of price and specifications. Turbocharging and direct injection technology in a petrol engine for the masses! Naza sold 3,766 Peugeot cars in 2009, comprising of 2,347 units of the 206 Bestari, 885 units of the 308, 491 units of the 407 and 43 units of the 207 CC. For 2010, the group is targeting to sell 2,930 Peugeots in Malaysia, which will include the “T33″ entry-level model, to be produced at Naza’s Gurun plant.

Peugeot themselves are expanding its ASEAN Regional Office in PJ, which will manage operations for the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China). Peugeot’s ASEAN Regional Office in Malaysia currently runs an ASEAN training centre and technical help desk for after-sales technicians in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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“This is part of the group’s on-going efforts to continuously look out for viable business opportunities with foreign partners to complement and consolidate our automobile sales portfolio,” the conglomerate said.

This expected announcement confirms longstanding rumours linking the two parties which started even before GM and DRB-HICOM officially parted ways. We will deliver updates as it becomes available.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Although the report, which quotes an unnamed “industry source” said that GM is in talks with several parties, it didn’t mention any local company besides Naza. According to the source, Naza and GM will make an announcement by the second week of January.

In the meantime, GM is counting on dealer Cergazam Sdn Bhd to manage the franchise until a new partner comes on board.

Naza taking on Chevrolet in its stable will be quite interesting as it already handles one of Chevy’s big rivals in Kia, and we can imagine that one of the big topics on the discussion table with GM will be how Naza will manage this situation.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Naza plans to launch four new Kia models which will include a “recreational vehicle” in the first half of the year. The conglomerate will also introduce four new Peugeots in 2010, including the “T33″ entry-level model that will be manufactured at its Gurun plant.

Our guess is that the “RV” in question will be the new Sorento, while the Soul and Forte Koup should also be coming. How about the facelifted Optima to make it four?

On the Peugeot front, T33 is the 207 Sedan, which despite the name is a booted 206 with the 207′s “big mouth” face. Naza will be counting on this small saloon to provide the bulk of Peugeot sales. My personal prediction for the other three is 207, 308 CC and a crossover, possibly the 3008.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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UPDATE: Kia Forte 1.6 Test Drive Review

Naza Kia Sdn. Bhd. has officially launched the Kia Forte for the Malaysian market at the Pavilion KL. As previously mentioned, three models of the Forte are available including the 1.6 EX, the 1.6 SX as well as the range topping 2.0 SX.

There are some updates on some questions that readers have asked in the previous story. Yes, the engine in the 2.0 litre model is the single variable valve timing model. The 1.6 litre engine is able output 126 PS at 6,300rpm and 157Nm of torque at 4,200rpm while the 2.0 litre variant makes 156 PS at 6,200rpm and 194.2Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.

All models are offered with 2 years warranty or 50,000 kilometers, which ever comes first and there is no option for a warranty extension for now.

They plan to sell 6,000 units annually and also revealed that it will introduce more than four new models in various segments next year.

Kia Forte 1.6 EX – RM75,800
Kia Forte 1.6 SX – RM81,800
Kia Forte 2.0 SX – RM93,800

Continue reading to view live images of the launch, or read the related post earlier today to find out the full specifications of the car.

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Kia Forte here in Malaysia: amazing value for money

Click image for enlarged version

Click image for enlarged version

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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UPDATE: Kia Forte 1.6 Test Drive Review

The gorgeous new Kia Forte is now in Malaysia, or at least in the official sense after its launch at the Pavilion KL which will happen later this evening. We’ve already seen the Kia Forte on Malaysian roads as early as May this year when it was spotted in Shah Alam with JPJ plates.

The Forte is pretty much a game changer for Kia, but this ‘renaissance’ did not start with the Forte. Personally for me from a consumer point of view, the first Kia that I had a desire to consider as a daily driver was the Kia Optima. The Optima was just chock full of equipment, including a very nice Infinity surround sound system. It also had a very nice black interior with aluminium trim all over. The Optima’s 2.0 litre engine based on the GEMA platform was nice and spritely, and the car’s road behaviour didn’t fall short either. The only thing that I could complain about was the rather drab exterior looks.

But the Forte has been the first Kia that had emotional appeal – it has a really good design – something that you would look forward to being parked in your driveway every morning. The Koup is even better. It has such a sporty stance and looks good even in a boring silver colour, as seen in South Korea earlier this year (read my short test drive report).

Three models will be available, the 1.6 EX, the 1.6 SX and the 2.0 SX. The cheapest variant is the EX, priced at RM75,800 OTR, while the SX goes for RM81,800 for the 1.6 litre model and RM93,800 for the 2.0 litre model. Just as a comparison, the i30 goes for a much more expensive price, between RM92,388 for the basic 1.6 manual up to RM112,888 for the 2.0 litre automatic. The Elantra/Avante (which you could consider the Hyundai equivalent to the Forte) goes for RM95,301.80 and that’s without OTR costs. So the Forte has actually got very good competitive pricing. It’s a C-segment sedan (Civic, Lancer, etc) but no doubt alot of people will be cross-shopping between Japanese B-segment cars and the Forte.

Like its price indicates, the 2.0 SX is the range topping version. The 2.0 litre engine that you get is of the newer GEMA type that’s also found in the Optima. The Mitsubishi Lancer’s 2.0 litre engine is also derived from the GEMA project. Kia calls theirs the Theta engine. It is not the latest version with the 165 PS rating though, due to the fact that the engine is the version with single variable valve timing. The 165 PS engine has dual variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust.

The 2.0 litre engine makes 156 PS at 6,200rpm and 194.2Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. The 1.6 litre engine is from the Gamma family (not to be confused with GEMA) and produces 126 PS at 6,300rpm and 157Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.

Click image for enlarged version

Click image for enlarged version

The 2.0 is chock full of equipment (you can refer to the full specs table I’ve put above) but let me give you a list in one breath. You get disc brakes all-round, driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags (a total of 6), ABS brakes, a black interior, a metal-look for the dash fascia, a Supervision cluster (Kia’s version of Optitron), leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering, electric power steering (the 1.6 litre models get the hydraulic version), tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment, steering wheel audio, keyless entry and ignition (yes, a start button), full auto climate control air cond, leather seats, active headrests, 17 inch wheels wrapped with 215/45R17 tyres, a 4 sensor reverse sensor with a distance display on the multi-info trip computer display (no need to just listen to the beeps), electrically-adjustable heated wing mirrors, etc.

Even with the 1.6 SX, you still get stability control, although the airbag count has dropped to 2 for the driver and passenger. The baseline 1.6 EX model has steel wheels but it is not extremely ‘baseline’ to the fact that there are no safety features – there is still 2 airbags, and all three models have ABS anti-lock brakes.

The Forte 2.0 SX is the only sedan you can get under RM100,000 with 6 airbags and ESC stability control. It’s price versus equipment value beats even that other C-segment vehicle under the Naza stables, the Peugeot 308, but the 308 has that fantastic BMW-PSA Prince direct injection turbo engine of course.

The Forte will be available in 6 colours – Bright Silver, Metal Bronze, Ebony Black, Titanium Silver, Spicy Red, and Clear White. We will have another report coming later tonight with coverage from the Forte’s launch in Pavilion, so stay tuned.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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This is the new Naza Picanto, just launched by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd a few days ago at The Curve. Yes, this is the CKD Picanto that was previously called the Naza Suria, but now the Suria name has been dropped and replaced by the Kia name, though the Naza badge remains. The Suria name was probably inspired by the Picanto’s Korean market name, which is the Kia Morning.

The most obvious change is of course the aesthetic update to the latest look that has been available from Kia internationally. With the latest facelift in Korea, there were actually two different front ends available but Naza has picked the version with the rounded foglamps to sell here. There is another one with leaf-shaped look foglamps and funkier alloy wheels, probably some kind of special edition.

On the inside, the interior has been updated with orange backlighting for the controls and meter cluster. The meter cluster is complete with an RPM meter but there is no water temp meter. The head unit provided is a 1-DIN design with USB support so you can read your MP3 files off a USB thumbdrive and do away with carrying CDs in your Picanto. The 1.1 litre engine revs up to 6k RPM and puts out a peak of 64 PS at 5,500rpm and 96Nm of torque at 2,800rpm. I like the fact that peak torque is made under 3,000rpm, which is usually the point an automatic car would shift gears if driven gently. But in any case acceleration from 0 to 100km/h will take a long 15.1 seconds.

In terms of safety, the front passenger and driver get two airbags – one each. The airbags are only available on the more expensive EX model. None of the models have ABS. There are four 3-point belts and a lap belt for the rear center. Wheels are 14 inch steels for the LS and 15 inch alloys for the EX, wrapped with 165/60R14 and 175/50R15 tyres respectively. The EX goes for RM46,800 while the LS goes for RM44,500. If you are in the market for one I’d recommend you just go for the EX since you get alloys and two airbags for a premium of RM2,300.

Also note that the Picanto is basically the original car that the Hyundai i10 was based on, and the i10 is sold at a higher price of RM48,888 in Malaysia. But the i10 comes with ABS brakes and a 5-year warranty while from the Naza Kia website it appears the Picanto gets 2 years, though it looks like a (optional?) 2 year extended warranty program is also available. Also, the i10′s CKD packs come from India, while the Picanto’s CKD packs probably come from Korea.

Look after the jump for an E-Brochure and a gallery of the Picanto.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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Thanks to reader awak for alerting me about a new update for the Naza Citra, or should we call it the Naza Citra 1.5 now since there is a Citra 2 Rondo and this particular version is an update to the Citra 1. The old second generation Kia Carens has been given a new breath of life by Naza Kia and is priced lower than the Citra 2 Rondo.

The new design is very curiously Saga-like with a blackened area between the upper and lower center grille on the front end, and the rear design features a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser-lookalike design.

A quick check on local classifieds sites already reveal many salesmen posting up entries and prices range between RM59,888 to RM65,888, making this one of the cheapest 2.0 litre MPVs around, though what you’ll be getting is a model that first debuted in 2002.

Look after the jump for more images of the new Citra facelift.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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UPDATE: The Kia Forte has been launched in Malaysia. Follow the link for more details on specs and price.

Reader acesDSI spotted this Kia Forte with JPJ plates roaming the streets of Batu 3 Shah Alam heading towards Section 20 Shah Alam. It looks like the good-looking Kia Forte is going to be launched soon, and sources in Naza say it’s most likely to be offered in CKD locally assembled form.

Although we cannot really see the badge on the car because of the resolution of the photos, the photographer said the car had Naza badges on, so maybe what we’re going to get is a Naza Forte instead of a Kia Forte.

Click for enlarged image

There are positive and negative points about that, firstly having a Naza badge on is likely to give the company more bargaining power with duties resulting in a lower price, which is ultimately beneficial for consumers if a simple badge swap (that could even be supplier by showrooms) will “fix” it. Secondly it will stop potential customers from waiting for Naza Kia to Naza-ize a Kia Forte in anticipation of further price drops.

If the Naza Forte is to become a proper bread and butter sedan for Naza Kia it has to replace the Spectra in the product range so expect it to come with a 1.6 litre engine, with larger engines reserved for the Kia Koup 2-door coupe which I tested in South Korea recently.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Mon, 13 Feb 12 00:50:50 +0000.

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