SHAH ALAM: Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd, manufacturer of two new national scooters, plans to invest RM125 million in its motorcycle assembly plant here, its group managing director, Tan Sri S.M Nasimuddin S.M Amin, said Tuesday.
The company had to date, spent RM30 million on the plant that has an annual production capacity of 50,000 units.
Pilot production of the two new national scooters - Naza Symphony and Naza Gemilang - with technical cooperation from Jiangsu Sinski Motorcycle Company Ltd of China, began in September 2003.
The plant, built on a 2.4ha site, comprises an assembly line, distribution centre, parts and accessories centre, and a technical training centre.
Speaking at a press conference after the launching of the plant and the two scooters by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said another RM20 million would be invested on a spray painting facility in 2005.
By 2007, it would have invested over RM30 million for the development of various motorcycle models and some RM30 million in an engine assembly and production facility.
On sales of the 125cc Symphony and 150cc Gemilang, he said it would appeal to scooter fans given attractive features like front disc brake with ABS (anti-lock braking system) and remote control alarm and affordable prices.
Nasimuddin said by the middle of next year, Naza Bikes would be producing two additional models; a performance bike and a cruiser using South Korean technology with engine capacity of between 250cc and 650cc.
“Our plant’s production forecast for 2004 is in the region of 20,000 units and in 2005, we are projecting 40,000 units which includes export sales,” he said.
This represented about 10 per cent of the local motorcycle market, he said.
He disclosed that Naza Bikes was close to completing a negotiation on a joint venture to produce superbikes with a European motorcycle manufacturer.
On the export market, he said discussions with interested parties in Indonesia, Africa and Vietnam had started.
As for local distribution, Naza Bikes had appointed 45 sales and after sales dealers throughout Malaysia. The number would be increased to 64 next year and 82 in 2005.
On another development, Nasimuddin said the Naza group was looking at expanding its activities into assembling commercial vehicles (lorries and vans) with South Korean or Chinese partners.
“Announcement will be made in the next few months,” he said.
The group, which started in 1976 as importer of used and reconditioned vehicles, today markets completely build-up (CBU) Mercedes Benz, KIA, Peugeot, Bentley, Ferrari and Maserati apart from activities in the hospitality, public transport and other businesses.
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