Naza said close to deal with Piaggio

 

Naza Group is poised to be the biggest motorcycle importer and distributor in Malaysia by securing the franchise rights from Piaggio Group.

Sources said Naza is finalising a deal with the Italian firm to distribute its vast range of motorcycle and scooter brands such as Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and the famed Vespa.

The Piaggio Group is Europe’s biggest and the world’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer in terms of brand portfolio.
Sources said that the two parties will ink the deal in a few weeks. The deal will emphasise on the Aprilia, Gilera and Vespa brands which already have a healthy presence in the Malaysian market.

The agreement will come directly under Naza group joint executive chairman SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, who also manages the group’s performance luxury car business including Ferrari and Maserati.

The sources added that the previous Aprilia distributor, Moto Millia Sdn Bhd, will soon cease to be involved in the business after building the brand since 2004. However, it is not known whether Vespa and Gilera distributor Ritz Motor Sdn Bhd will still maintain its niche scooter business as a dealer once Naza takes over the franchise.

It is also learnt that Naza, through subsidiaries Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd and Next Bike Sdn Bhd, will oversee the various brands under the new franchise agreement.

Currently, the group has been actively promoting the premium Ducati and Harley-Davidson brands since the past year.

The group also sells Japanese superbikes sourced from the US and various smaller capacity motorcycles which are assembled at its Shah Alam plant too.

The Piaggio Group employs more than 7,000 people. Last year, it shipped a total of 648,600 scooters, motorcycles and three/four-wheel commercial vehicles worldwide.

The group made a consolidated net sales of e1.57 billion (RM5.33 billion) in 2008, while net profit stood at e43.3 million (RM147.22 million).