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)
Number of employees	5,000

The Naza Group of Companies is a big Malaysian business group. It is involved in many different types of businesses. These include selling cars and motorcycles, building properties, and even running restaurants.

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 sells 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 made its own versions of some cars. For example, they made the Naza Ria from the Kia Carnival. They also made the Naza Citra from the Kia Carens. The Naza Suria was based on the Kia Picanto. In 2006, they launched the Naza Sutera and the Naza 206 Bestari.

Naza Group's Story

How Naza Started

The Naza Group began in 1975. It started with a company called Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd. This company imported used cars into Malaysia. The founder was the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin.

He was only 21 years old when he started. He used money he saved from helping his father's construction business. He bought used Japanese cars. He sold all his cars in just three months!

After that, Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin started selling used luxury cars in Kuala Lumpur. In a few years, his group became a big seller of used luxury cars in Malaysia. They also started importing used luxury motorcycles.

Growing in the 1990s

By the late 1990s, the Naza Group grew even more. They started distributing new cars. Their first big step was getting a partnership with a South Korean carmaker, Kia Motors Corp.

The Naza Group also started managing hotels. They bought hotels in Los Angeles, USA, in the late 1990s.

Expanding from 2000 to 2009

In 2000, Naza Group started selling motorcycles. They became the only seller for the Ducati brand in Malaysia.

By 2001, Naza Group began assembling cars in Malaysia. They started with the Kia Spectra. Other Kia models like the Naza Ria MPV, Sorento, and Sportage were also assembled. These cars became very popular. In the same year, Naza Group also started selling special Brabus-tuned cars.

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

Because more people wanted locally assembled Kia cars, Naza Group built a car manufacturing factory. Construction started in Gurun, Kedah, in September 2002. In 2003, they also opened a motorcycle factory in Shah Alam, Selangor. This factory assembles many types of bikes.

By May 2003, the big factory in Gurun, called Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM), started making cars. It began by producing the Naza Ria MPV. This factory can make 50,000 cars each year.

Naza's move into manufacturing also led to new car launches. They launched the Naza 206 Bestari, made with Peugeot. Their first-ever Naza-branded car, the Naza Sutera, came out in 2006.

In 2004, Naza Group took over TTDI, a property development company. TTDI is now the main property part of the Naza Group. Its name changed to Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd in 2008. Naza TTDI is famous for building the Taman Tun Dr. Ismail township in Kuala Lumpur.

At the same time, Naza Group quickly grew its car trading business. In 2005, they opened the Naza Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. This is the biggest car showroom in Malaysia. It can display 2,000 cars. It even won a mention in the Malaysia Book of Records!

Naza Group also cares about education. In 2006, they started the Naza Kia Academy (NKA). 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 Group added more car brands. They became the only seller for Peugeot in January. Then came Ferrari in April and Harley-Davidson in October. By 2009, they added the luxury Italian brand, Maserati.

Naza Group started assembling Peugeots at their NAM factory in Gurun. Cars made at this factory were also sent to nearby countries in Southeast Asia. This showed that Naza could make cars that meet international standards.

The Naza Group also entered the food business in 2008. They opened the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant. In 2009, Naza Kia Academy started offering special diplomas in car management. They also partnered with Motorola University for employee training.

In 2009, they added the Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt brand to their food business. Naza Group became the main license holder for Tutti Frutti in Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Thailand. They now have over 100 outlets in Malaysia.

Recent Developments (2010 to Present)

In 2010, Peugeot announced they would work with Naza Group. They chose Naza's factory in Gurun to make cars for right-hand drive markets in Southeast Asia. This was the first time a foreign carmaker chose Malaysia as its main hub for the region.

2010 was a busy year for Naza. In March, they got the rights to sell the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia from General Motors.

In May, they grew their motorcycle business. They partnered with the Piaggio Group. This gave Naza Group the rights to sell Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa, and Gilera brands in Malaysia.

In 2011, Naza Group added another motorcycle brand: Indian Motorcycle. This made Naza Group a top seller of big bikes in Malaysia. It also made them one of the biggest bike importers and sellers in Malaysia.

Naza Group also started a college for car and transportation management. This college, called College of Automotive Transportation (CATM), planned to open campuses in Gurun and Selayang, Selangor. NKA's facility in Gurun serves as one of CATM's campuses. They offer diplomas in Automotive Technology and Motorsport Technology.

Naza Group also added the Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ restaurant chain to its food business.

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

Naza TTDI has built over 14,000 homes and business units. They also developed the RM4 billion Platinum Park. This is a big project in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The company is also building the RM20 billion KL Metropolis development. This huge project includes the MATRADE, MITEC, and many other buildings. Naza TTDI also built the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). This is the country’s largest exhibition center. It has 1 million square feet of space. It was given to the Malaysian Government in 2017.

In 2018, Naza Group and Groupe PSA made an agreement. Groupe PSA bought a 56% share in Naza's factory in Kedah. This made it the first manufacturing hub in ASEAN for the French carmaker. Naza Group now handles selling Peugeot, Citroen, and DS Automobiles in Malaysia. They also work with PSA to explore selling cars in other ASEAN markets.

What Naza Group Does

Cars and Four-Wheeled Vehicles

A Ferrari Enzo in Naza World

Naza Motor Trading Sdn Bhd (Sells luxury and high-end cars)
Naza Italia Sdn Bhd (Sells Ferrari and Maserati)
Naza Swedish Motors Sdn Bhd (Sells Koenigsegg)
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 Brabus-tuned cars)
Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd (Sells Naza-branded cars)
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd (Mercedes-Benz dealer)
Naza Wheels Sdn Bhd (Chevrolet dealer)
Naza Quest Auto Sdn Bhd (Chevrolet dealer)
Naza Mekar Sdn Bhd (Perodua dealer)

Motorcycles and Two-Wheeled Vehicles

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)
Harmony Fabulous Sdn Bhd (Sells Indian & Victory Motorcycles)
Naza Bikers Dream Sdn Bhd (Imports high-end bikes)
Naza Bikers Sales and Distribution Sdn Bhd (Sells Naza Bikes)

Manufacturing

Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (Used to make Kia, Peugeot, and Citroën models; sold to PSA Group in 2018)
Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd (Makes Hyosung bikes like the Naza N5/N5R)

Property Development

Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd
Naza Engineering and Construction Sdn Bhd

Hotels and Hospitality

Naza Hotel Management Sdn Bhd

Food and Drinks

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

Education and Research

Naza KIA Academy Sdn Bhd (Training center for KIA in Asia Pacific)
Naza Education Sdn Bhd (Works with Help International Corporation Berhad)
Naza Auto Solutions Sdn Bhd (Designs car accessories and parts)

Transport and Delivery Services

Naza Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd (Used to offer chauffeured limousine services, from 2007 to 2021)
Naza Transport Sdn Bhd (Offers full logistics services)
Zalnas Limousine Sdn. Bhd (Offers Airport Limo & Taxi services)

Other Businesses

NZ Galaxy Sdn Bhd (Sells car accessories and parts)
Naza Credit & Leasing Sdn Bhd (Offers vehicle financing)
Naza Coverage Sdn Bhd (Insurance Agent)
Zalnas Coverage Sdn Bhd (Insurance Agent)
Wood Vision Sdn Bhd (Plantation business)
Bahau Cigarette Distributors Sdn Bhd (Distributes cigarettes)
Asas Sejati Sdn Bhd (Distributes cigarettes)

Helping the Community

Giving Back to Society

Naza Group helps the community in many ways. They donate money and sponsor healthcare groups. They also help orphanages and natural disaster funds. They support educational programs, local arts, and sports.

Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin Foundation

The Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin is a special organization. It was started in 2011 to honor the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, who founded Naza Group. This foundation gives money for school scholarships and helps charitable groups. It works to raise funds through donations and special events.

Cars Made by Naza

Naza Ria

Naza Citra

Naza Ria (a version of the Kia Carnival)
Naza Citra (a version of the first generation Kia Carens)
Naza Citra II Rondo (a version of the second generation Kia Carens)
Naza Sorento (a version of the Kia Sorento)
Naza Forza (a version of the Hafei Lobo, also known as Naza Sutera)
Naza 206 Bestari (a version of the Peugeot 206)
Naza Picanto (a version of the Kia Picanto, also known as Naza Suria)
Naza Forte (a version of the Kia Forte)