Here’s something we weren’t expecting this morning – the Naza Automotive Group has announced a “strategic realignment” of its business as it seeks long-term profitability and liquidity. The company is targeting a “significant uplift” in both over the next three years, and it plans to do so by focusing on its core brands.
UPDATE: A Naza Italia representative has clarified that both Maserati and Ducati will remain as key parts of the Naza Automotive Group.
It’s no surprise that Naza is turning to its more mainstream franchises to drive growth. In Suzuki, Naza Eastern Motors (NEM) is already in the midst of expanding its dealer network by more than 100% over the next three years, on top of investing in digital platforms as it shoots for a yearly increase in Suzuki sales.
Naza also has a lucrative Mercedes-Benz dealership in the shape of NZ Wheels, and to that end the company is planning to revamp its Bangsar showroom with the latest Mercedes-Benz corporate identity. The refreshed facility will open its doors in Q3 this year.
This being a “realignment”, one can expect some bad news for Naza’s other brands. The company said as much in its press release, remarking that it wants to “gradually reduce our dependency on lifestyle and niche segments that no longer align with our latest objectives.” And while it was not revealed which brands it plans to cull, the fact that Maserati and Ducati were not mentioned once is telling.
It’s no big secret that Maserati has not been performing well lately, not just in Malaysia but around the world. Despite a comprehensive remodelling of its lineup – as well as introducing the well-received MC20 – sales have been so dire that rumours have reemerged that Stellantis could very well sell its storied Italian sports car marque, a move hastened by US tariffs.
Ducati’s situation is far less shaky, thanks to continuing strong sales and profitability. But with Naza needing to invest heavily into Suzuki and Mercedes-Benz to prop up its auto business, it looks like even Borgo Panigale isn’t safe from the chopping block.
That’s not to say that there’s no room to grow the business. Naza says it is looking for “new brands and opportunities, including electric mobility.” The company also intends to enter a new ASEAN market this year, focusing on the brands it already operates in Malaysia.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
They should just close down everything and enjoy whatever money the dad left for them. Unlike their dad, the kids have very little business acumen.
What business acumen. Itu panggil monopoly
Monopoly is part of business acumen.
It’s ok since wealth won’t last three generations
Their late father left them a big fortune..but expensive taste for high flying lifestyle has left them not much.
Reat estate business failure,Naza,peugeot,Kia all kaput.
One might not be surprised,one day creditors might serve them bankruptcy notice in the not too distant future.
now already jump to new boat ma., got tan sri look after, why worry?
Haha learn to run sundry shops first. Mau gaya saja
Ask chrysis Sell the rights to Father in law?
This Ducati business is in good standing here in this region. Why need to divest??? Bring in more or so assembly here instead of bring in Suzuki without EV directions…is naza losing its edge since the partriach passed away…?
naza and tan chong are both on the same boat
I checked the Jimny price and I am mindblown.
Better than Tan Chong sell over price cheap kosong cars. They should close shop after Nissan Sunny 120Y habis.
When business was bad for Naza Kia in the late 2000s and upon realising the proporty boom, Naza had begun to abandon the automotive division. Even buying over the TTDI developer company and renaming it – you guessed it right as Naza TTDI.
That is how they managed to secure a lot in KL golden triangle and built Naza Tower (and left Menara Naza in Kg Baru to rot). Slowly they quit other car dealerships like Citroen, Peugoet and Chevrolet.
Hardly surprising. The late Tan Sri would be cursing his children from the graveyard after working hard building the empire.
Good move. Streamline and change direction into a more manageable way!
Another joke
Suzuki?
I bet their Duakati sale outperform their SuuuDuki sale multi fold.
Maybe they should hit the master reset button and start again by selling kapchai.
Dulu naza jual kereta kia okay jer harga boleh accept. Sekarang jual brand yg tak mengena nak sengaja bankrupkan company ke?