2000 to 2009
In 2000, the Naza Group's extended its portfolio to include the distribution of motorcycles after being appointed as the exclusive distributor for the Ducati brand in Malaysia.
By 2001, the Naza Group became an auto assembler with the introduction of the Kia Spectra. Several locally-assembled Kia models that were subsequently launched such as the Naza Ria MPV, the Sorento, and the Sportage which became market leaders in their respective segments. In the same year, the Naza Group captured its second franchise after it was appointed as the exclusive distributor of Brabus-tuned cars.
In 2002, the Naza Group acquired hotels in Penang, Melaka, and Johor Bahru. These three hotels were later re-branded under the name, Naza Talyya Hotels, in 2010. Naza Talyya Hotel closed its operation in Johor and to date only two Naza Talyya Hotels remain in operation in Penang and Melaka.
With demand for locally-assembled Kias increasing, the Naza Group started construction works on an in house automotive manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah in September 2002. In 2003, the Naza Group commenced operations of an RM30 million motorcycle manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Selangor to assemble a wide range of bikes including scooters and superbikes.
By May 2003, the RM500 million manufacturing facility in Gurun- known as Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) – commenced operations producing a Naza Ria MPV. It has a workforce of close to 450 people and has a production capacity of 50,000 units per annum.
The group's foray into manufacturing into NAM also led to the launch of the Naza 206 Bestari, which was the result of a joint venture with Automobiles Peugeot, and the group's first-ever car, the Naza Sutera in 2006.
In 2004, current shareholder Ekspedisi Nikmat Sdn Bhd helmed by Naza Group late chairman Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, acquired TTDI from Danaharta.
TTDI is now the main property arm of the Naza Group of companies. TTDI development changed its name to Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd on 11 March 2008 to reflect its association with the NAZA Group. The Naza Group is an established player in the property development market through its subsidiary, Naza TTDI, which is best known for the development of the acclaimed township of Taman Tun Dr. Ismail in Kuala Lumpur.
At the same time, the Naza Group began to rapidly expand its motor-trading business. In 2005, it launched the Naza Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which is the largest motor showroom in Malaysia. With a built-up area of 250,414 square feet and the capacity to display 2,000 cars, the Naza Auto Mall symbolized the group's status as the largest importer of used and re-conditioned luxury and high-end vehicles in Malaysia. Naza Auto Mall and has won a mention in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the largest motor showroom in the country.
The group has also had a strong commitment to the field of education. In 2006, the group established the Naza Kia Academy (NKA) by its manufacturing facility in Gurun, Kedah. NKA offers sales and after-sales training to all employees of the Naza Group particularly in developmental and technical-related programs. The academy is also recognized by Kia Motors as its overseas training center in the Asia Pacific region.
In 2008, the group added more brands to its portfolio. In January, it was appointed the sole distributor for the Peugeot brand followed by Ferrari in April and Harley-Davidson in October. By 2009, it added the Italian luxury brand, Maserati, to its portfolio. [6]
As the distributor for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, the Naza Group began assembling Peugeots at NAM in Gurun. By that time, vehicles produced at Gurun were also being exported to neighboring countries in ASEAN which established the group's credentials as a manufacturer that could meet international standards.
The Naza Group entered the food and beverage industry in 2008 after capturing the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co franchise for Malaysia.
In 2009, Naza Kia Academy began offering executive diplomas in automotive management and executive diploma in manufacturing management process programs. These diploma programs were offered in collaboration with the UK's Society of Business Practitioners. In that same year, the Naza Group signed a collaboration agreement with US-based Motorola University to offer executive development programs to the group's employees.
In 2009, it expanded its food and beverage portfolio to include the Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt brand. The group became the master license holder for the franchise in Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Thailand. It currently has over 100 outlets in Malaysia as well as outlets in Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, and Thailand. [7]
2010 to present
In 2010, Automobiles Peugeot announced it would partner the Naza Group in establishing a manufacturing hub for the former at the latter's plant in Gurun for right-hand drive markets in the ASEAN region. The announcement marked the first time a foreign carmaker had chosen to make Malaysia its hub for the region.
2010 was another active year for the group as it added several more brands to its stable. In March, it won the exclusive rights to distribute the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia from General Motors.
By May, it expanded its motorcycle division by agreeing with the Piaggio Group. Under the agreement, the Naza Group was given exclusive rights to distribute the Piaggio, Aprilia, Vespa, and Gilera brands in Malaysia.
In 2011, the Naza Group added another brand to its stable: Indian Motorcycle. With Indian Motorcycle, the Naza Group became a premium player in the big bikes market in Malaysia. It has also cemented the group's position as one of the largest bike importers and distributors in Malaysia. [8]
In 2011, the Naza Group entered into a joint venture with HELP International Corporation Bhd to establish a college of automotive and transportation management in Malaysia. The joint venture, which has been named, College of Automotive Transportation (CATM), is targeting to launch campuses in Gurun and Selayang, Selangor in 2012. NKA's facility in Gurun will serve as CATM's campus there. Among the courses to be offered include Diploma in Automotive Technology and a Diploma in Motorsport Technology.
In 2012, the Naza Group expanded its F&B portfolio to include Gyu Kaku, a globally renowned Yakiniku restaurant chain. [9] [10]
In 2013, the Naza Group announced that its subsidiary, Naza Euro Motors, had been appointed as the official distributor for the Citroën brand in Malaysia. Through the appointment, the Naza Group now represents both major brands of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group in Malaysia. [11]
To-date, Naza TTDI has completed over 14,000 residential and commercial units and has developed the RM4 billion Platinum Park, an integrated residential and commercial development in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. [12] The company is also constructing the RM20 billion KL Metropolis development which will comprise the MATRADE, MITEC, MITI Tower, Naza Signature Tower, office towers, residential buildings, luxury hotels, as well as retail malls. [13] Naza TTDI had also developed the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in KL Metropolis, the country’s largest exhibition centre with 1 million square feet of exhibition space, [14] which was then delivered to the Malaysian Government in 2017. [15] [16]
In 2018, the Naza Group and Groupe PSA signed a share sale agreement and a joint venture agreement to make NAM the first manufacturing hub in ASEAN for the French carmaker, acquiring a 56% stake in the Kedah facility. [17] [18] A joint statement released by the Groups said, "The Naza Group will have sole responsibility for the distribution of Peugeot, Citroen and DS Automobiles in the domestic market and, with PSA, will explore distribution prospects in other ASEAN markets." [19]
