Naza facts for kids

For other uses, see Naza (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Naza Group of Companies

Type	Privately held company
Industry	Conglomerate
Founded	1975
Founder	Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin
Headquarters	Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Area served	Southeast Asia
Key people	Wira SM Faisal, (Joint Group Executive chairman) SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, (Joint Group Executive chairman) Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail, (Director), SM Faliq, (Director) Nur Diana, (Director) Nur Nadia, (Director)
Number of employees	5,000

The Naza Group of Companies is a big Malaysian business group. It does many different things, from selling cars and motorcycles to building homes and managing hotels. The group started in 1975 by selling used cars. Today, selling cars and bikes is still a very important part of their business.

Naza Group is the official seller for many famous car and motorcycle brands in Malaysia. These include Ferrari, Maserati, Koenigsegg, Kia Motors, Peugeot, Chevrolet, Citroën, Brabus, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Gilera and Indian Motorcycle.

Naza has also sold cars that were originally made by other companies but given a Naza name. For example, they sold Kia's Carnival as the Naza Ria, Kia Carens as Naza Citra, and Kia Picanto as Naza Suria. They also made the Naza Sutera and a Naza version of the Peugeot 206 called the Naza 206 Bestari.

How Naza Started and Grew

The Early Years (1975-1989)

The Naza Group began in 1975 when Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd was created. Its founder, the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, started by importing used cars into Malaysia. He was only 21 years old and used money he saved from helping his father's construction business.

He sold all his first batch of used Japanese cars in just three months! After this quick success, Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin started a dealership for used luxury cars in Kuala Lumpur. In a few years, Naza became a big name in Malaysia for selling used luxury cars and even used luxury motorcycles.

Growing Bigger (1990-1999)

By the late 1990s, the Naza Group started to sell new cars, not just used ones. They got their first official agreement to sell cars from a South Korean carmaker, Kia Motors.

During this time, Naza also began to manage hotels. They bought two hotels in California, USA, showing how much the company was growing and trying new things.

New Adventures (2000-2009)

In 2000, Naza started selling motorcycles too. They became the only company allowed to sell the Ducati brand in Malaysia.

By 2001, Naza began to assemble cars themselves in Malaysia. They started with the Kia Spectra. Other Kia models like the Naza Ria MPV, Sorento, and Sportage were also put together locally and became very popular. In the same year, Naza also became the only seller of special Brabus-tuned cars.

In 2002, Naza bought hotels in Penang, Melaka, and Johor Bahru. These hotels were later renamed Naza Talyya Hotels in 2010. Today, two Naza Talyya Hotels are still open in Penang and Melaka.

Because more and more people wanted locally-assembled Kia cars, Naza started building a car manufacturing factory in Gurun, Kedah, in 2002. In 2003, they also opened a motorcycle factory in Shah Alam, Selangor, to put together scooters and powerful superbikes.

The big car factory in Gurun, called Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM), started working in May 2003. It cost RM500 million to build! This factory can make up to 50,000 cars each year and employs about 450 people.

Making cars at NAM led to Naza launching their own car models. In 2006, they launched the Naza 206 Bestari, made with Peugeot, and their very first own car, the Naza Sutera.

In 2004, Naza Group's chairman, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, bought a property company called TTDI. This company became Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd in 2008 and is now the main part of Naza that develops properties. They are famous for building the Taman Tun Dr. Ismail township in Kuala Lumpur.

Naza also quickly grew its car sales business. In 2005, they opened the Naza Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. It's the biggest car showroom in Malaysia, big enough to show 2,000 cars! It even holds a record in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Naza also cares about education. In 2006, they opened the Naza Kia Academy (NKA) near their factory in Gurun. This academy trains Naza employees in sales and car repair. Kia Motors also recognizes it as a training center for the Asia Pacific region.

In 2008, Naza added more famous brands to its list. They became the only seller for Peugeot in January, Ferrari in April, and Harley-Davidson in October. By 2009, they also added the fancy Italian brand, Maserati.

As the seller for Peugeot cars in Malaysia, Naza started putting Peugeots together at their NAM factory in Gurun. Cars made at Gurun were also sent to nearby countries in Southeast Asia, showing that Naza could make cars that meet international standards.

Naza Group also entered the food business in 2008 by getting the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co franchise for Malaysia.

In 2009, Naza Kia Academy started offering special diplomas in car management. Naza also partnered with Motorola University to offer training programs to its employees.

In 2009, they added the Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt brand to their food business. Naza became the main company for this franchise in Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Thailand. They now have over 100 Tutti Frutti stores in Malaysia and others in the region.

Expanding Even More (2010-Present)

In 2010, Peugeot announced that they would work with Naza Group to make Malaysia a main manufacturing place for right-hand drive cars in Southeast Asia. This was a big deal because it was the first time a foreign carmaker chose Malaysia as its regional hub.

2010 was a busy year for Naza as they added more brands. In March, they got the right to sell the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia from General Motors.

By May, they grew their motorcycle business by working with the Piaggio Group. This agreement gave Naza the special right to sell Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa, and Gilera motorcycles in Malaysia.

In 2011, Naza Group added another brand: Indian Motorcycle. With this, Naza became a top seller of big, high-end motorcycles in Malaysia. This also made Naza one of the biggest motorcycle importers and sellers in Malaysia.

In 2011, Naza Group also started a joint project with HELP International Corporation Bhd to create a college for car and transportation management in Malaysia. This college, called College of Automotive Transportation (CATM), plans to open campuses in Gurun and Selayang, Selangor. The Naza Kia Academy in Gurun will be one of CATM's campuses. They will offer courses like Diploma in Automotive Technology.

In 2012, Naza Group added the Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant chain to its food and beverage businesses.

In 2013, Naza Group announced that its company, Naza Euro Motors, was chosen to be the official seller for the Citroën brand in Malaysia. This meant Naza now represented both big brands of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group in Malaysia.

Today, Naza TTDI has built over 14,000 homes and business units. They also developed the huge RM4 billion Platinum Park, a mix of homes and businesses in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The company is also building the RM20 billion KL Metropolis project. This big project will include the MATRADE, MITEC, MITI Tower, Naza Signature Tower, office buildings, homes, luxury hotels, and shopping malls. Naza TTDI also built the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in KL Metropolis, which is Malaysia's largest exhibition center.

In 2018, the Naza Group and Groupe PSA (a French carmaker) signed an agreement. PSA bought a 56% share in Naza's NAM factory in Kedah, making it the first manufacturing hub in ASEAN for the French carmaker. The agreement stated that Naza Group would be the only company responsible for selling Peugeot, Citroen, and DS Automobiles in Malaysia. They would also work with PSA to explore selling these cars in other ASEAN markets.

Naza's Different Businesses

Cars and Trucks

Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd: Imports luxury and high-end cars.
Naza Italia Sdn Bhd: Sells Ferrari and Maserati cars.
Naza Swedish Motors Sdn Bhd: Sells Koenigsegg cars.
Naza Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd: Sells Kia cars.
Nasim Sdn Bhd: Sells Peugeot cars.
Naza Quest Sdn Bhd: Sells Chevrolet cars.
Naza-Brabus Motor Sdn Bhd: Sells special Brabus-tuned cars.
Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd: Sells Naza brand cars.
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd: A dealership for Mercedes-Benz.
Naza Wheels Sdn Bhd: A dealership for Chevrolet.
Naza Quest Auto Sdn Bhd: A dealership for Chevrolet.
Naza Mekar Sdn Bhd: A dealership for Perodua.

Motorcycles

Next Bike Sdn Bhd: Sells Ducati motorcycles.
Naza Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd: Sells Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Naza Premira Sdn Bhd: Sells Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, and Gilera motorcycles.
Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd: Sells Indian & Victory Motorcycles.
Naza Bikers Dream Sdn Bhd: Imports high-end motorcycles.
Naza Bikers Sales and Distribution Sdn Bhd: Sells Naza brand motorcycles.

Making Vehicles

Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd: This factory used to make Kia, Peugeot, and Citroën models. It was sold to PSA Group in 2018.
Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd: Makes Hyosung motorcycles like the Naza N5/N5R.

Building Homes and More

Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd: Develops properties and builds homes.
Naza Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd: Handles engineering and construction projects.

Hotels and Places to Stay

Naza Hotel Management Sdn Bhd: Manages hotels.

Food and Drinks

NZ Diners Sdn Bhd: Runs the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurants in Malaysia.
Autumn Odyssey Sdn Bhd: Runs the Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurants in Malaysia.
Naza Tutti Frutti (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd: Manages the Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt stores in Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Thailand.

Learning and Training

Naza KIA Academy Sdn Bhd: A training center for KIA in the Asia Pacific region.
Naza Education Sdn Bhd: A company that works with Help International Corporation Berhad on education.
Naza Auto Solutions Sdn Bhd: Designs car accessories and parts.

Transport and Delivery

Naza Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd: Used to provide chauffeured limousine services (from 2007 to 2021).
Naza Transport Sdn Bhd: Provides full logistics services.
Zalnas Limousine Sdn. Bhd: Provides airport limo and taxi services.

Other Businesses

NZ Galaxy Sdn Bhd: Sells car accessories and parts.
Naza Credit & Leasing Sdn Bhd: Provides financing for vehicles.
Naza Coverage Sdn Bhd: An insurance agent.
Zalnas Coverage Sdn Bhd: Another insurance agent.
Wood Vision Sdn Bhd: Involved in plantations.
Bahau Cigarette Distributors Sdn Bhd: Distributes cigarettes.
Asas Sejati Sdn Bhd: Also distributes cigarettes.

Helping the Community

Giving Back

The Naza Group believes in giving back to the community. They have programs that include giving money and support to healthcare groups, orphanages, and helping people affected by natural disasters. They also support educational programs, local arts, and sports activities.

The SM Nasimuddin Foundation

The Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin is a special company set up to honor the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, who founded the Naza Group. It started in 2011.

The foundation helps people by giving out scholarships for education, helping with school costs, and donating to charity groups. It works to raise money through donations and special fundraising events.

Naza's Own Car Models

The Naza Ria, a popular family car.

The Naza Citra.

Here are some of the car models that Naza Automotive Manufacturing has produced:

Naza Ria (This was a version of the Kia Carnival).
Naza Citra (This was a version of the first-generation Kia Carens).
Naza Citra II Rondo (This was a version of the second-generation Kia Carens).
Naza Sorento (This was a version of the Kia Sorento).
Naza Forza (This car was based on the Hafei Lobo and was previously known as the Naza Sutera).
Naza 206 Bestari (This was a version of the Peugeot 206).
Naza Picanto (This was a version of the Kia Picanto, previously known as the Naza Suria).
Naza Forte (This was a version of the Kia Forte).

Images for kids

A cool Ferrari Enzo at Naza World!